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A 
BRIEF HISTORY 

OF THE 

TOWN OF MAYNARD 

MASSACHUSETTS 



WILLIAM H. GUTTERIDGE 



1921 
Published by the 
Town of Maynard 






Copyright 1921 
William H. Gutteridge 

Printing and Binding 

by the 
Hudson Printing Co. 
Boston and Hudson 



APR 23 1921 
0)CIA614196 



^:::> 



P REFACE 



This brief history of the TOWN of MAY- 
NAKD is compiled from data which the author 
has been collecting for several years ^ and by re- 
quest has been written up for the fiftieth anniversary. 

For the early history of this district^ the writer 
is largely iyidebted to ''Hudson's History of Sud- 
bury' and the ''Annals of Maynard, Sudbury and 
Way land'' \ also to Joel Parmenter^ Washington 
Parmenter^ Mrs. Joel Abbott., Herbert and Orrin 
S. Fowler, and several others. 

Anyone desirous of making a more jninute study 
of this locality should read the above yiamed books., 
also the chapters on Maynard i)i " Hurd's" and 
"Drake's" histories of Middlesex County., also the 
"Old Proprietor s Book" in. Stow. 

W. H. G UTTERIDGE. 



THE TOWN OF MAYNARD was Incorpora- 
ted April 19, 1 87 1. It was previously known 
as Assabet Village, lying in a valley through which 
flows the Assabet River, being partly in Stow 
and partly in Sudbury. In the year 1869, it 
had grown so, people began to consider the ad- 
visability of making the village a separate town. 
It was larger than either of the parent towns in 
population and business; it was quite a distance 
to the town houses of Stow and Sudbury, and 
there was no ready means of conveyance. The 
older towns were given to agriculture, while this 
village was engaged in manufacturing. 

The village needed street lights, sidewalks, 
police protection, more advanced schools, and 
other advantages which the parent towns were 
not prepared to give. 

A petition signed by Henry Fowler and several 
other prominent citizens was presented to the 
legislature, and on April 19, 1871, the Charter 
was signed, — this, in face of strong opposition on 
the part of Sudbury, which appointed a com- 
mittee to use all proper means to prevent any 
portion of Sudbury being taken in the formation 
of the "new town", — the large woolen mills, 
being on the Sudbury side of the river, would 



mean quite a loss to them. The Town of Stow 
offered no great objection. After several hear- 
ings and committee meetings, an agreement was 
reached. Nineteen hundred acres were taken 
from Sudbury on the south side of the Assabet 
River, for which they were to receive $20,883.28 
— this being considered our portion of the debt — ■ 
including the block of stock in the Lowell & 
Framingham Railroad which they held. We 
were also to assume the care of any paupers 
originating in the district set off" from either 
Sudbury or Stow. Thirteen hundred acres on 
the north side of the river were taken from Stow, 
for which we were to pay $6,500.00. 

At this time, the valuation of the new town as 
set off was $1,002,000 with three hundred and 
twenty-one houses, five hundred and twenty-two 
polls, the population nineteen hundred and ten 
and contained five and seven tenths square miles, 
being the third smallest town in the state. (For 
a copy of the Town Charter see Page i. Town 
Clerk's Records, of the Year 1871.) 

The new town took the name of MAYNARD, 
in honor of the man who developed it from a 
sparsely settled farming ciistrict, which he found 
in 1846, to the live manufacturing town of 
1 87 1, this being done by the unanimous vote of 
its citizens. 







WINTHROP PUFFER HOUSE 




rOEL F. PARMENTER PLACE 



Upon receipt of the Charter, the citizens held 
a celebration — music and speeches by Lawyers 
Joseph W. Reed and John Hillis, and the Rev- 
erend Webster Hazelwood of the Congre- 
gational Church. 

The first Town Warrant issued, called for a 
meeting on Monday, April 27, 1871. The fol- 
lowing town officials were chosen: — 

Field Drivers. 
Benjamin Smith, 



Selectmen 
Asahel Balcom, 
Henry Fowler, 
Jonathan P. Bent. 



Clerk. 
Eli R. Chase. 

Treasurer and Collector. 
Lorenzo Maynard. 

Assessors. 
Asahel Balcom, 
Artemus Whitney, 
Benjamin Conant. 

Constables. 
Fred Fletcher, 
William Maxwell, 
Thomas Farrell. 

School Committee. 
John H. Vose, 
John Hillis, 
William H. Harding. 



Hollis Balcom. 

Fence Viewers. 
J. P. Bent, 
Joel Abbott, 
Silas P. Brooks. 

Highway Surveyors. 
Thos. H. Brooks, 
Artemas Whitney, 
Henry Fowler. 

Surveyors of Lumber. 
Abel G. Haynes, 
Asahel Balcom, 
B. R. Moore, 
Samuel Potter, 
J. H Allen. 

Fire Wardens. 
George H. Cutting, 
J. K. Harriman, 
William Cullen. 



10 




MOLLIS BALCOM'S 



Vigorous measures were at once adopted to 
put the new town on a strong footing, and num- 
erous improvements were projected — new 
schools, new streets, and a cemetery. The first 
appropriation for schools was two thousand dol- 
lars and for highways one thousand dollars. 
Compared with the appropriations of 1921, these 
sums are very small. 

The first vote of thanks recorded was to John 
Hillis and to Joseph W. Reed, resident lawyers, 
for their services and efforts in obtaining the 
Charter, for which they would accept no com- 
pensation. 

[Ill 



The early history of Maynard territory is so 
closely interwoven with that of Sudbury and 
Stow, that it is necessary to give an outline of 
the origin of these towns. 

Sudbury was incorporated September 4, 1639, 
and until 1780 extended from Watertown to the 
Assabet River. A part of the ciistrict now in 
Maynard was purchased by Edmond Goodenow 
and others from Jehojakim and twelve other 
Indians for the sum of sixty dollars, the deed 
being dated July 11, 1684. Although the lot of 
"two miles" was granted by the General Court 
in 1649, there was considerable delay in obtain- 
ing the deed of release from the Indians. It is 
a wonderful document, anci a copy of it may be 
found in Hudson's "History of Sudbury" page 
66. This lot of "two miles" embraced the terri- 
tory from a line drawn approximately through 
Willis Pond and Sudbury White Pond (just over 
the Concord line) to the Assabet River. Anoth- 
er portion adjoining the above, was obtained 
by the Whites through a horse trade with the 
Indians. Tantamous (sometimes called Jethro 
or Old Jethro), whose headquarters were at 
Nobscot, bought a mare and colt from Herman 
Garrett of Concord, giving a mortgage which 
was not paid. It was foreclosed by suit and a 
section of one thousand acres came to Garrett, 

[12I 




LEWIS BRIGHAM HOUSE 



the blacksmith, May 19, 1651, In settlement of 
his claim, amounting to twenty pounds, six 
shillings, fourpence. The land was along the 
Assabet River, but just where is not now known. 
A map of 1708 gives fifteen dwellings in the 
second and third squadrons, which included the 
above mentioned lots and was later known as 
the "Northwest District" now in Maynard. 
One of the signers of the 1684 deed, Peter Jethro, 
son of Old Jethro, called himself "one of the 
ancient native hereditary Indian proprietors of 
the said land". He was one of Elliot's converts, 
a grave and pious Indian, and was originally 

[13 1 



known as "Hantomush of the Nipnets". The 
Colony Records, Vol. 3, Page 225, May 22, 
165 1, record that "Capt. Willard and Lieut. 
Goodenow were appointed to lay out the one 
thousand acres of land at Isabaeth, which Jethro, 
the Indian, mortgaged to Herman Garrett". 

Stow is first mentioned as "Pompasittakutt, 
the new plantation beyond Concord". It was 
then (1650) controlled by Chief Jethro, the 
Indian, who it is said lived at that time in Isa- 
baeth, which seems to be confirmed by the deed 
of 1684 signed by his son. 

Maynard at that time was surrounded by 
three Indian tribes, and was sometimes called by 
them Pompositicut. In 1666 "part of this terri- 
tory was formally laid out". On petition of the 
white settlers October 12, 1669, the Pompasit- 
takutt plantation was established, and May 16, 
1683, the town of Stow was incorporated, ex- 
tending at that time from the Assabet River to 
Lancaster. 

During the King Phillip invasion of 1676, the 
white settlers of this section were probably all or 
nearly all wiped out. The beautiful hill on 
which the Maynard Reservoir is located still 
bears the Indian name Pompasitticut, but is 
more commonly known as "Summer Hill". On 
this hill in 1676, it is said, the Indians gathered 

[14I 




RICE TAVERN— VOSE PLACE 



in Pow-wow to decide which place should be 
attacked — Concord or Sudbury. Sudbury was 
the choice and nearly all white settlers were put 
to death. Marlboro had been wiped out a short 
time before. The whites in the districts distant 
from the block houses at Sudbury made des- 
perate attempts to reach these protecting forts. 
In fleeing from the foe, Matthew Boone was 
killed near Boone Pond; his head stone may be 
seen on the west side of the hill near the railroad. 
The Indians with King Phillip came from a 
distance and when the Nobscot Indans, who 
were friendly to the whites, heard of their ap- 

1151 



proach, they warned the whites to seek refuge 
Indians were numerous in this vicinity for some 
time, as their remains have been found on th( 
farms of Benjamin Smith and Lewis Brigham 
Indian relics have been picked up in severa 
places. Lucius H. Maynard, on whose fanr 
many of them have been found, has a large col- 
lection and many antiques. 

The "Old Proprietor's Book" of Stow, undei 
date of May 19, 1719, gives the names of man) 
who selected land on Pompasitticut Hills anc 
Assabet Brook. We find the name ASSABEl 
spelled in various ways — Isabaeth, Elsabeth 
Asibath, Elsibeth, etc. — there seems to hav( 
been no uniform spelling of this word until abou 
1850. 

It is evident that the northerly part of th( 
town was occupied at an early period. In 165c 
the farm of William Brown is mentioned as bein^ 
in the "Northwest angle beyond the AsebatP 
River" and it was this farm or a part of it whicl" 
changed owners under a deed of September 3 
1739. This was the conveyance of two hundrec 
acres to Josiah Brown and signed by Edmunc 
Brown "in the twelfth year of ye Reign of oui 
soveran Lord George ye second" and recordec 
in the Registry of Deeds Book 40, Page 64. Th( 
original deed is in possession of Herbert Fowlei 

[16] 




GEORGE F. BROWN'S 

who is a descendant of the Browns on his moth- 
er's side. The farms ot Herbert Fowler, George 
F. Brown and George E. Whitney are portions 
of the above named farms. The original Fowler 
house was built about this time, the east end 
being added later. The Geo. F. Brown house 
was built about 1830. Some of the older places 
and persons who were early settlers may well be 
mentioned: — 

The Joel Parmenter place on the Acton Road 
is said to be one of the oldest, if not the oldest, 
farm; the older portion of the house being built 
by one Marble previous to 1683; the date on the 
barn shows it was built in 1722. 



fi7 



The Winthrop Puffer place on the "New Lan- 
caster Road" now called Puffer Road is another 
old place. Jabez Puffer came to Sudbury in 
1712 and in 1743 bought the place (then known 
as the Pratt place). It has been in the family 
continuously until 1889 when it was purchased 
by Delette Hall. It is now owned by one Peter- 
son. Here was born Reuben Puffer, a noted 
divine and graduate of Harvard in 1778. The 
Puffer farm was a great gathering place for wild 
pigeons, which were caught in nets by the Puffers, 
one haul netting forty dozen. On this account 
Puffer was commonly called "Pigeon Puffer". 

The Balcoms came about 1683 ^^^^ were prom- 
inent in the early history of Sudbury. They 
lived on what is now known as the Dettling 
place, just south of the Balcom homestead on 
the road to Sudbury. The Dettling house was 
known as a "Very old house" at the time it 
changed owners in 1757. Asa Balcom was a 
man of some education, and served on the School 
Board and various town committees. He was 
a Surveyor and Justice of the Peace and lived 
on the west side of the road; his brother Hollis, 
on the east side; neither of them left descend- 
ants. 

The name of Brigham appears on deeds prior 
to 1706. It is recorded on February 21, i759> 

[IB] 




FELIX DEITLING'S 



that one Bowker sold to Abijah Brigham, black- 
smith, a place on the great road. He kept a 
blacksmith shop at the fork of the roads, on the 
south side of the great road, just west of the 
house beyond the Catholic Cemetery. There 
were several girls — Emma married Newel Wil- 
comb, one of whose daughters married James N. 
Haire. 

The Vose place also on the Puffer Road, near 
Vose's Pond was formerly known as the Rice 
Tavern and was a general place of meeting with 
the early settlers and many matters oi impor- 
tance to the district were discussed. It was pur- 

[19I 



chased from Benjamin Crane of Stow in 1685 and 
was for a hundred years a tavern, and as such 
it was closed in 1815. Since then it has been a 
farm house, for years owned by Jonathan Vose, 
and his brother. Jonathan had one son, John 
H. who was a school teacher for several years 
and had charge of the public library for a period. 
The Vose Pond has been secured by the Finnish 
people, and with the grounds is used as a summer 
resort. Years ago a line of stage coaches passed 
the hotel going from Boston to Lancaster, over 
what we now call the Puffer Road. 

The name of Smith we find mentioned in 1647, 
and at one time they owned a great part of the 
land now in this town. There were four broth- 
ers, Haman, Levi, Asa and William, called "Wild 
Bill". Haman gave a farm to each of his sons, 
Ben and George occupied, for a time, the large 
house where W^m. F. Litchfield now lives, it 
being built about 1785. Haman built for him- 
self just beyond where Howard Case now lives. 
Dexter's place was on Concord Street, the old 
house next west of the Charles Crossley place. 
Levi owned the farm which is now known as 
the Thompson or Eveleth place. About 18 16 
it was a tavern run by Levi Smith, one of sev- 
eral on the great road, for the accommodation 
of travellers between Boston and Fitchburg. 

[20] 



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HERBERT FOWLER'S 




BEN SMITH BRHXiE 



The great road had just been opened for 
traffic by the building of the Ben Smith Bridge, 
and two coaches, going each way, passed over 
this road daily. 

The Brooks family were early settlers, this 
name being found on the school board of 1789. 
Thomas and Silas owned farms on Summer Street, 
the Thomas Brooks House now being in the 
possession of Mrs. Luke S. Brooks. The Silas 
Brooks house, built about 1764, is at the corner 
of Summer Lane, often designated as "Lover's 
Lane". 

The Lucius H. Maynard farm has been in the 
family since 1828, when it was purchased by his 
grandfather. The old house stood back on the 
side hill near the old well and elm tree, and was 
known then as Gibson's farm. The present 
house was built in 1835, Charles W. (the father 
of Lucius) and his Brother George managed the 
farm for many years. 

The first bridge built in Maynard across the 
Assabet River, was the "Dr. Woods" bridge, 
built in 1715, and the "New Lancaster Road" 
crossed it and carried the traffic west. This 
bridge is now known as Russell Bridge; about 
one-eighth of the bridge is in Stow. Travelers 
now take the Great Road over the Ben Smith 
Bridge, which was built in 18 16, at a cost of five 

[22] 




SILAS P. BROOKS PLACE 




LUCIl'S H. MAYNARD'S 



hundred dollars. The improvements and re- 
pairs on this bridge contemplated this year will 
exceed by ten times the original cost. 

There also was a bridge at what is now called 
Mill Street, and a mill close by it was considered 
old in 1 82 1. This was a saw, grist and cider 
mill combined, and was run by Asa Smith, and 
afterwards called "Jewels' Mill"; spindles were 
made there for textile mills. An old "red house" 
stood until 1900 on the "Island" between the 
river and the old raceway. 

About 1820 a paper mill was built at the corner 
of Summer and Parker Streets, using the water 
privilege at that point. The mill was built by 
William May, later passing into the hands of 
William Parker, then to his son, William T. Par- 
ker, who ran it until August i, 1882, It was 
purchased by Maynard & Hemenway for the 
water privilege, although they never utilized it 
and sold it in September 1895, to the Assabet 
Manufacturing Company. The old buildings 
were destroyed by fire May 14, 1894, the chim-^'^ v 
ney only remaining, and it was torn down August 
14,1914. The water for paper makingwas taken 
from the brook which rises near Glenwood Ceme- 
tery. 

The Paper Mill Bridge was built about 1840. 
Before these bridges were built, with their con- 

[24 1 




UK OLD PAPKR MILL 



necting roads, travel came over the hill at the 
head of Summer Street, going from Stow to Con- 
cord, or via Summer Lane, Concord Street (so 
named for this reason) on to Fletcher Corner and 
Concord, not crossing the river, except by fords, 
until reaching the Bki North Bridge at Concord. 
Previous to this, a trail or bridal path from what 
is now called Pleasant Street skirted the south 
side of Pine Hill near the river, traces of which 
may still be found, and was doubtless used by 
the Indians and early settlers. In 1847 a direct 
road was opened from Parmenter's crossing to 
South Acton, traffic having previously been over 

[251 



s.^ 



the old road via the Conant (nowEneguess) place 
and the old road leading from So. Acton to the 
Powder Mills. 

Old settlers tell of two saw or grist mills on the 
brook which empties into "Thanksgiving Pond". 
Traces of the dam of Asa Smith's may still be 
found on the Taylor Farm, the Puffer mill being 
farther up the stream. This brook carries the 
water from Puffer's Brook and "Honey Pot" 
Brook which crosses the Puffer Road near the 
Jim Haynes and Lent farms. 

A number of early settlers in Assabet and vi- 
cinity were in the French and Revolutionary 
wars; the names of Balcom, Eveleth, Puffer, 
^^ Maynard, Smith, Skinner, Brigham, Rice and 

,,et2.j^'v(i^.fWillis being found. Daniel Conant who lived /^^^ 
. ;?/r«<<^f on the Calvin Whitney place was the first man_ 
'^"i^S^ij^J^W^^^ at the Concord fight, April 19, 1775, 
r/a/wTT-^' an'oVas later Sergeant at Bennington, Vt., when 

General Burgoyne surrendered. 

In 1846 the village began to assume new life, 
when the water power which had been used by a 
small mill only, was purchased by Amory May- 
nard and William H. Knight of Saxonville, the 
owner of a carpet factory there, which had just 
been burned. Mr. Maynard had been deprived 
of his water power — Fort Meadow Pond in Marl- 
boro — by the City of Boston, and was seeking a 

[26I 




■;>«^' 



CALVIN WHITNKY PLACE 




WM. V. LITCHFIELD'S 



new location. On May 19, 1846, he made his 
first land purchase from Eben S. Brooks, this 
land being on both sides of the "Elsibeth" River. 
Land was also bought at this time from Thomas 
H. and Silas P. Brooks, and of Haman, George 
and Benjamin Smith, continuing his purchases, 
until he controlled all the available water power, 
water rights and mill sites in this vicinity. In 
July 1846, no less than thirty-four deeds are re- 
corded covering his purchases — a map of Novem- 
ber 1846 shows that he owned one hundred and 
nine acres in the heart of the village. Within a 
few years he enlarged his possessions in order to 
control water rights up the river to Boone's Pond 
and Fort Meadow. 

The Jewel Mill and the two houses nearby at 
Mill Street and Summer Lane Road had been pur- 
chased from Asa Smith by Mr. Knight on Nov- 
ember 24, 1845, for $5,500. In that house now 
occupied by James Stott, Mr. Maynard made his 
first residence. It is related, when Mr. Maynard 
approached Haman Smith, regarding a large 
tract of land he desired to purchase, Mr. Smith 
was not favorably impressed by his looks, and 
doubted his being a desirable citizen and ques- 
tioned his ability to pay for the land. For the 
improvement of his water privileges, he bought 
a strip of land from Haman Smith, two and one- 

[28] 




AMORV MAYNARI) 



half rods wide, from the river to what is now the 
mill pond; dug a canal and led in the water to 
what was then a low, swampy hollow with a 
trout brook running through it. The tract was 
cleared of trees, a dam built across from the 
Thompson Street side to the Main Street near 
the depot, making everything ready for the erec- 
tion of the mill buildings, for which his early 
training had well fitted him. His father, Isaac 
Maynard, had a saw mill at the foot of Fort Mead- 
ow in which he had worked, having left school 
at the age of fourteen, also helping on the farm. 
When he was sixteen years, his father died and 
he took charge of the business, carrying it on 
successfully, taking on building and contracting 
until at one time he had sixty men in his employ. 
In this way he came in contact with Mr. Knight, 
for whom he had done some building, and this 
resulted in their partnership for the manufacture 
of carpets. 

The Ben Smith Dam having been thrown 
across the river, the water led into the basin, 
water wheels being installed, they were ready for 
the mills; the first building was a wooden struc- 
ture 50 X 100 feet. In the spring of 1847 they 
began to make yarn and, soon after, carpets, at 
first using hand looms. At Mr. Knight's retire- 
ment, Mr. Maynard took over the entire business 

[30] 



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THE ASA SMITH PLACE (STOTTS) 




J5EN SMITH UAM 



"and ran it successfully until the panic of 1857 
crippled him so badly that he failed. In the 
conduct of his mills, his two sons Lorenz-o and 
William were associated with him. In 1859 he 
purchased from the City of Boston the Fort 
Meadow reservoir containing three hundred acres 
and he had previously, in 1846, obtained entire 
control of Boone's Pond, containing two hundred 
acres by his land purchases and fiowage rights, 
adding materially to their valuation. In 1862 
the mills were reorganized as a corporation, with 
the name Assabet Manufacturing Company, F. 
A. Goddard, President; T. Quincy Brown, Treas- 
urer; Amory Maynard, Agent. The small build- 
ings were soon replaced by others of more sub- 
stantial and enlarged capacity. New machinery 
was installed and the manufacture of carpets 
dropped, blankets, flannels and cloth being sub- 
stituted. The Civil War was then in progress 
and large Government orders were executed. 
The business continued successful, several large 
buildings were added from time to time; streets 
were laid out and tenements for the employees 
erected. 

Mr. Maynard continued as agent until failing 
health necessitated relinquishing the position to 
his son Lorenzo with his grandson William H, 
Maynard as Superintendent. In 1847 the valua- 

[32] 




WILLIAM MAYNARD 



tion of the business was set at $150,000 and on 
the death of Mr. Maynard March 5, 1890, it was 
$1,500,000, Dull times and poor business dur- 
ing 1 893-1 894 and later finally drove the company 
into insolvency December 31, 1898. Receivers 
were appointed who kept the mills running on a 
reduced output until May i, 1899, when the 
American Woolen Company bought them for 
about $400,000. At that time it was the largest 
woolen mill in the country with 66 sets of cards 
and 350 broad looms. The American Woolen 
Company soon after began to improve the prop- 
erty, replacing the old machinery with new and 
increasing its capacity. 

In 1901 Mill No. 5 on Thompson Street was 
built 700 feet long and in 191 8 No. i Mill was 
built over the pond, 500 feet long, a large store- 
house erected and a steam turbine engine 
installed. 

In 1886 was erected the red brick chimney 207 
feet high, and in 19 16 another one of hollow brick 
2,00 feet high was built. There are now about 
6900 HP Steam, with electrical transmission to 
all parts of the plant, also 200 HP Water. Elec- 
tric light is universal, being furnished for this 
town and the town of Acton. Twelve large 
buildings are devoted to manufacturing, with 
128 sets of 60 inch cards and 760 broad looms, 

[34I 







THE THOMPSON PLACE 



employing 2500 people. A new office building, 
lacing Main Street, was erected in 1905. There 
are six people who have continued on the payroll 
of the mills since 1 871, W. H. Gutteridge, Michael 
Twomey, Michael Crowley, Wm. McGowan, 
Charles Moore and Mary Joyce. The present 
officials of the Company are President, William 
M. Wood; Treasurer, Wm. H. Dwelley; Agent, 
Oswald C. Drechsler. 

Amory Maynard, for a number of years, re- 
sided at what is now No. 125 Main St., and his 
son Lorenzo at No. 127. In 1873 Amory built a 
fine residence on the hill, and soon after Lorenzo 



35 



built near it. These fine residences with their 
ample grounds made a beautiful picture in sum- 
mer. The estates have since been cut up for 
house lots and covered with dwellings. 

After the failure ot the mills, Lorenzo moved 
to Winchester where he died March 13, 1904. 
His son William H. still resides there. Amory 
Maynard's second son William was assistant 
superintendent until 1885, when he was taken 
sick, and upon his recovery traveled to California 
and upon his return, settled in Worcester, dying 
Nov. 6, 1906. His daughters Nettie and Grace 
still reside there, also Lessie who married Paul 
Morgan. The only members ot the Maynard 
family in town now are Amory 2nd, a son of 
William and a great grand-daughter Mary, wife 
of the present Town Clerk, Frank E. Sanderson. 

Previous to 1849 the village had no railroad 
facilities, freight being teamed to and from 
South Acton, and transportation by means of a 
stage which made regular trips from Lowell to 
Framingham, being discontinued when the Low- 
ell & Framingham Railroad was built. In 1849, 
a survey being made, land and a right of way were 
purchased, and the building of the Marlboro 
Branch began. Amory Maynard was one of the 
prime movers and so aided in securing the right 
of way that he was given a life pass over the road, 




ASSABF.T MILLS— 1867 

besides being appointed station agent, which 
position he held (in his name) for about forty 
years. The first depot stood where the freight 
house now stands. Upon the advent of trans- 
portation facihties a large ice house was erected 
by N. J. Wyeth where the Front Street houses 
now stand. The building was of brick and held 
40,000 tons of ice which was cut on the mill pond 
and shipped to Boston. About 1864 it ceased 
to be used, and the Assabet Manufacturing Co. 
purchased and tore down the building, using the 
brick for mill construction. The granite arch 
and keystone mav be seen over the door of No. 



J/ 



12 Mill near Main Street. It may sound strange, 
but when Mr. Maynard came to town, there was 
no "Main Street", but the rapid growth soon 
made necessary a road through the valley and a 
bridge across the river. On September 22, 1848, 
Stow appointed a Committee to contract for the 
building of a new road and bridge as ordered by 
the county commissioners, on the petition of 
William H. Knight and others. Sudbury voted 
on April 2, 1849, "to pay for the road and bridge 
at Knight's factory, $1,310". The bridge was a 
two span wooden one resting on a centre pier of 
stone; the present one is of iron and wider than 
the original one. 

Walnut Street was first built on the south side 
oi the river from Main to Thompson Street. In 
1872 it was necessary to use this land for addi- 
tional mill buildings, and it was re-located on the 
north side of the river and an iron bridge erected. 
Walnut Street was first opened for building pur- 
poses in 1868. Gavin Taylor, Overseer of the 
Weaving Room, was the first to build, this house 
now being owned and occupied by Mrs John 
Flood. At that time it was the only house on 
that side of the river until Parker Street was 
reached. 

Sudbury Street was opened and extended 
across the pond by a bridge, through a vote by 

[38] 




NASON STREET, 1877 



Sudbury September 4, 1854, "to accept proposals 
made by A. S. Thompson and Amory Maynard 
to build a bridge and road at Assabet" and by 
another vote April 16, 1855, "to authorize the 
treasurer to borrow money for the building of the 
road and bridge at Assabet Village". This 
wooden bridge was replaced by a concrete struc- 
ture in 19 1 5. 

Nason Street was partially opened soon alter 
Main Street, its name being given to it by our 
first local printer D. C. Osborn. It was sugges- 
ted by a highly appreciated lecture "The Model 
Town" given by the Rev, Elias Nason of Billerica. 

IJ9J 



Glendale Street was named for the hotel of that 
name which stood near by on Summer Street. 
Dean, Warren and Walcott Streets were named 
for persons who were the first to build on them. 
Pine Street was so named on account of a growth 
of pine trees on the west side; Harriman Court 
for the Harriman family who owned considerable 
property in the court; Thompson Street, for 
Aaron S. Thompson who owned most of the land 
there; Parker Street, for William T. Parker, 
owner of the Paper Mill and otheradjacent prop- 
erty; Elm Street, because of the large elm 
trees in front of No. 9 — the old Parker house; 
Brooks Street, for Silas P. Brooks who owned the 
land before it was cut up for house lots. Tre- 
mont and Brown Streets were named by Warren 
A. Haynes, who purchased and cut up a section 
of the Ezekiel Brown place, and Haynes Street 
was named after him. Everett Street was named 
by Hiram Curtis of Everett, owner of the land. 
Percival Street received its name from the owner 
John Percival from whom Mr. Maynard pur- 
chased it for building purposes. Florida Road 
was named by Luke S. Brooks, owner of the land, 
and perhaps in memory of his pleasant winters in 
Florida where he owned some orange groves. 
The streets on Maynard's Hill were given their 
names by Monks, the real estate dealer who pur- 
chased the property and laid out the streets. 

[40 ] 




PAPER MILL BRIDGE 



When the No. 5 Mill was erected, more tene- 
ments were required, and in 1901 the Reardon 
farm, and in 1902 the Mahoney farm, was pur- 
chased by the American Woolen Co., who erected 
160 tenements, having their own sewerage system 
and their streets being named after Presidents 
of the United States. In 191 8 the Gorham 
Brown farm was purchased, and one of its new 
streets was named tor Frank E. Demars, the first 
Maynard man to fall in the Great World War. 
Forest Street was named for Forest Holt, son-in- 
law of Gorham Brown. Florida Road was 
opened to the public in 19 14, October 9th, by the 

[41 J 



completion of a concrete bridge across the river, 
displacing a wooden foot bridge erected by pri- 
vate parties. The new structure cost $6,000. 

A new section of the town is now being opened 
up on the south side of the Great Road. House 
lots have been laid out and three streets have 
been named for persons who were first to build 
on them, — O'Moore, Espie and Keene. In Sep- 
tember, 191 8, the square at Main and Nason 
Streets was enlarged and both streets widened 
by purchase of land from the Naylor estate. 

The introduction of electric power at the mills 
opened the way for electric lighting of the town, 
and September i, 1902, a contract was made and 
the old kerosene lamps put in oblivion. Soon 
after the Company secured a charter to light and 
furnish power in this town and Acton. Electric- 
ity is now used in most of the homes and stores 
at a rate of 13 cents per Kilowat hour. Gas was 
introduced in 1912 by the Marlboro & Hudson 
Gas Co., and is extensively used for cooking pur- 
poses, the rate being $2 per M. 

August 19, 1901, the first electric car was seen 
on our streets, a line having been built from 
Hudson to Concord by the Concord, Maynard 
& Hudson Street Railway Co., followed soon 
after by a line from here to West Acton. 

1 42] 




MILLS FROM POMPASITTICUTT HILL 



With increasing population, the need of a 
water system became a crying necessity, and a 
Committee was appointed reporting that an ade- 
quate supply of pure water could be obtained by 
securing White Pond, about three miles to the 
south. Application was made to the Legislature 
and although objection was made by Sudbury 
parties, a bill was passed May 25, 1888, giving us 
rights to the pond and leave to issue thirty year 
bonds. Thomas Hillis, Thomas Naylor and 
Frank W. Nyman were chosen Water Commis- 
sioners who made a contract with Howland & 
Ellis to put in a system with reservoir for 170,000. 

[43I 



Trouble broke out in the Fall of '88, and the work 
stopped, a suit against the Town being brought 
by Rowland. Friction developed among the 
Commissioners, one of whom brought suit against 
the town. Backed by the authority of the Town, 
Hillis and Naylor continued the work, Naylor 
taking full charge of the construction; its com- 
pletion being accomplished in 1889 and bonds 
for $125,000 issued. The Town won the lawsuits 
which dragged on for several years at a cost of 
130,000. 

The Reservoir on Pompasitticutt Hill is 199 
feet above the Ben Smith Dam. It is 22 feet 
deep, 113 feet in diameter and holds 1,500,000 
gallons of water, the pressure being 90 pounds on 
Main Street. Extensions have been made each 
year and the construction costs now stand at 
$213,500. The water flows by gravity to the 
receiving wells and is then pumped to the Reser- 
voir or directly into the mains. William Naylor 
is the present Superintendent. 

With the introduction of water came the de- 
mand for an organized Fire Department and 
apparatus to replace the volunteer mill service. 
Warren S. Peters was one of the prime movers 
and was Chairman of the Building Committee. 
The Hose Company was organized March 19, 
1890, and the Hook & Ladder April 29, 1891. 

[44] 




TOWN FARM 



Land was purchased on Nason Street, the fire 
house erected, and occupied January 29, 1891. 
The first hose wagon was hand drawn. Later a 
pair of horses was purchased and larger trucks, 
and, on January 19 14, an up-to-date LaFrance 
auto hose truck was installed with two or three 
men constantly on duty. The brick Lock-up in 
the rear of the Fire House was built in 1894 at a 
cost of $694. 

A sewage system is one of the most needed 
things at the present time. The town appro- 
priated April 6, 1914, $1,000 for a preliminary 
survey, plans, etc. The Committee secured 

[45] 



these and had the enabling act passed by the 
Legislature of 1916, and as yet the plans are still 
on file. 

The Glenwood Cemetery was established by 
the purchase of land on the east side of Parker 
Street in 1871, being kept in fine condition and a 
credit to the town. The tomb was erected in 
1888. 

In 1869 St. Bridget's Catholic Church secured 
land and laid out the fine cemetery on Great 
Road. James Heffernan, a Civil War veteran, 
was the first person interred. 

May I, 1892, the town purchased the old 
William Smith place on the Great Road from 
Abel G. Haynes for a town farm at a cost of 
$4,800. Up to this time the poor had been so 
few the inmates had been boarded out. The 
same conditions exist now and the farm was 
rented in 1920, 

The need for a public park and playground 
was met by the Town with the purchase of six 
acres of land on the Great Road from Wm. H. 
Eveleth in 1901 for 1 1,000. Under the super- 
vision of Rev. John A. Crowe, the first Park 
Superintendent, it was leveled and improved, 
and because of his great interest in securing it for 
the town and fitting it for use, it was named in 
his honor — the John A. Crowe Park. 

[461 




OUR FIRST GRAND STAND 




ill. I III !'! 



M 



i'j 









^ 



THK OLD BRICK SCHOOL 



The settlers in both Stow and Sudbury were 
very much interested in establishing schools and 
church privileges, these being their first endeavor. 
Stow, at the town meeting assembled March 7, 
1757, voted that "every quarter of the town shall 
have their proportion of schooling" and on March 
3, 1766, voted to build three school houses in the 
outlying districts — previous to this, a couple of 
schools had been opened near the center. There 
is no doubt but one of the three was the old Brick 
School on Summer Street, now the residence of 
William Bishop, for we find the record of the 
School Committee chosen Dec. 17, 1789, for the 
"Northeast Corner" district were Luke Brooks 
1st, John Marble and Capt. Sargent, all residents 
of this district. It was afterwards called District 
No. 5 and so designated until the Town of May- 
nard was incorporated. The school lot is said to 
have been given by Mr. Randall. The old Brick 
School was closed in 1872, having worthily served 
its purpose for over one hundred years, many of 
our honored citizens receiving all the schooling 
they ever had within its walls. Among its pupils 
were numbered — Ezekiel Brown, his son George 
F. Brown; Mrs. Joel Abbott and her son Charles 
of Keene, N. H.; Georgia Smith Brown, Mrs. 
Lizzie W. Jones of South Acton; Thomas Brooks 
and his son Luke; Mrs. J. W. Reed, Artemas and 

[48] 




ROOSEVELT SCHOOL 



John Whitney, George and Charles Maynard, 
Lorenzo and WilHam Maynard and their child- 
ren; Thomas Hillis, the Fowlers, Bents, Parmen- 
ters and many others, most of whom have passed 
beyond. Among those still with us are Wm. H. 
Gutteridge and his wife. He has a list ol thirty- 
five scholars still living. The last of the teach- 
ers to pass away was E. F. Richardson of South 
Acton who died in 1917. In conversation with 
the writer, he remarked 103 pupils presented 
themselves for registration on the first day of 
one winter term. Needless to say all could not 
be accommodated. 



49 



In 1864 Stow purchased from Artemus Whitney 
"for a school in District No. 5" forty rods of land 
on Nason Street for $225, a two room building 
being erected, and enlarged in 1871, and that was 
the beginning of the development of a High 
School. The High School was transferred to a 
new building on Acton Street in 1877 where it 
remained until a larger twelve room building was 
erected on Nason Street in 1892, additional land 
having been obtained and the old building sold 
and removed to Acton Street to be used as a 
dwelling house. The twelve room building cost 
$30,000 and in Its day was considered a model 
school; it was destroyed by fire September 20, 
1916. It was replaced by a larger brick build- 
ing built by J. E. Warren & Co., at a cost of 
$70,000. It was' occupied May 6, 191 8, and 
named the "Roosevelt School". 

January 13, 191 5, the town voted to purchase 
the Dr. F. U. Rich lot on Summer Street (once 
the John Whitman place) for a school site and a 
fine brick building was erected which accom- 
modates our first class high school and several 
grades at a cost of $61,500, being occupied in the 
Fall of 1916. 

On the Sudbury side of the river, this section 
was known as the "Northwest District" and we 
find the first vote for the location of a school 

[50] 




MAIN STREET SCHOOL 



here was in 1779 when $157.50 was granted to 
build a one room structure located on the Sud- 
bury road beyond Balcom's at the fork of the 
roads near and just north of the Dettling house. 
Like the "Old Brick School" it afforded educa- 
tion to many of our respected citizens. Among 
its pupils were the Voses, Washington Parmenter, 
Danie! Parmenter, Sarah Nyman, William Mc- 
Gowan and his wife; Levi R. Cheney, the Raf- 
fertys, the Reardons, Brighams, Puffers, Thomas 
Farrell and others. Of those now living 'the 
writer has a list of seventeen. There is also one 
teacher, Ellen Clark of Sudbury. The school 

1 51] 



was moved to the cross roads near the cemetery; 
in 1 88 1 it was vacated and sold and moved to 
Acton Street and is now a dwelling house. 

The Garfield School on Sudbury Street was 
bu.lt in 1881 but was sold and turned into a 
dwelling house when the large Nason Street 
School was built. The Old Main Street School 
was built in 1857 on a lot of 32 rods purchased 
from Amory Maynard tor $208 and the Town of 
Sudbury also voted "that the Committee might 
borrow ^300 in addition to the $1,000 granted, 
if necessary to build the school houseat Assabet". 
This building survived until 1903 when it was 
sold and moved to the rear of the James Mullen 
residence, and a modern brick structure erected 
on its site, additional land being purchased for 
increased play grounds. A further need for 
schools was met in 1906 by the erection of a 
large brick building on Bancroft Street with 
ample play grounds extending through to Parker 
Street. 

The Supernteindent is Wm. H. Millington, 
Horace F. Bates, Principal, George A. Kennedy, 
Director Commercial Department. Graduates 
are admitted to the colleges on their certificate 
from our High School. In 1871 the town expend- 
ed for schools $2,000. Male teachers received 
from $12.50 to $15 per week. Female teachers 
$9 to $10.50 per week. Now we expend $70,000 
and pay female teachers from $950 to $1400 per 
annum. 

[52] 




BANCROFT SCHOOL 







HIGH SCHOOL 



CHURCHES 

Assabet Village was entirely without religious 
service until 1852. Those more convenient to 
Sudbury went there to a church which had been 
built at the centre in 1723; others went to Stow 
where religious service was established in 1683. 
Mrs. Gutteridge, mother of William, related how 
Mr. Maynard would take all his conveyance 
would hold, and drive to Stow to attend church 
on Sunday mornings. He played the bass viol 
and assisted in the service. He was greatly in- 
terested in church work and continued so until 
the last, as did his wife who at one time was 
superintendent of the Sunday School at Assabet 
village. The first move along church lines was 
the organization of a Sunday School July 23, 
1 85 1, in the old passenger station which stood at 
the corner of Main and Sudbury Streets. Steps 
were taken March 15, 1851, for the formation of 
an Evangelical Society on the petition of Amory 
Maynard and sixteen others. Aaron S. Thomp- 
son was the first clerk. This was followed by the 
formation of a Union church Sept. 23, 1852, which 
afterwards became the Union Congregational 
Church, with an original membership of ten. 
The church was erected in 1853 on land donated 
by Knight & Maynard. It was enlarged in 1866 

[54] 




UNION CONGREGATIONALICHURCH 



and again in 1889, ^'^d in 1890 a fine organ was 
installed by A. Maynard, and stained glass win- 
dows by Lorenzo Maynard. The tall spire was 
blown off in a gale April 8, 1909 and rebuilt in 
1920. List of pastors: — 

Mr. George W. Frost (Licentiate of the Methodist 

Episcopal Church, May 1852 — May 1854.) 
Rev. J. K. Deering, May 1854— May 1856 
Rev. A. Morton, Nov. 1856— May 1859 
Rev. E. P. Tenney, Aug. 1859 — Dec. i860 
Rev. F. Wallace, Dec. i860— Feb. 1862 
Rev. A. H. Fletcher, June 1862 — Jan. 1864 
Rev. Thomas Allender, March 1864— April 1866 
Rev. O. Hall, April 1866— June 1867 

[S5i 



Rev. T. D. P. Stone, Oct. 1867 — June 1870 
Rev. Webster Hazelwood, Aug. 1870 — July 1872 
Rev. Edward S. Huntress, Dec. 1872 — March 1874 
Rev. P. B. Sheire, Sept. 1874 — April 1876 
Rev. S. S. Mathews, May 1876— May 1878 
Rev. C. E. Milliken, Jan. 1879— July 1882 
Rev. Edwin Smith, Sept. 1882 — Aug. 1886 
Rev. David H. Brewer, Oct. 1886 — April 1891 
Rev. Merrill Blanchard, July 1891 — Aug. 1897 
Rev. Thomas C. Jackson, Nov. 1897 — May 1899 
Rev. Charles H. Washburn, Oct. 1899 — May 1904 
Rev. Eugene F. Hunt, Sept. 1904 — April 191 1 
Rev. Frederick N. Rutan, June 191 1 — June 1918 
Rev. E. N. Atiyeh, June 191 9 

By 1867 those of the Methodist faith had be- 
come sufficiently large in number to warrant the 
organization ot a Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Worship was at first held in the Union Hall, 
which they bought in 1870, selling it later and 
building the present church which was dedicated 
in 1895. The hall was purchased by James Hig- 
gins, who removed it to face Main Street and 
remodelled it for business and a residence. A. 
Distasio now occupies it. The list of Pastors: — 

Rev. J. A. DeForest 1 867-1 869 

Rev. L. P. Frost 1 869-1 872 

Rev. J. S. Day 1872-1874 

Rev. M. H. A. Evans 1 874-1 876 

Rev. A. Baylies 1876-1877 

Rev. A. C. Godfrey 1 877-1 879 

(56I 




METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 






Rev. G. R. Bent 1879-1880 

Rev. L. P. Frost i88c^i88i 

Rev. G. W. H. Clark 1881-1882 

Rev. I. B. Bigelow 1 882-1 885 

Rev. W. Wignall 1885-1888 

Rev. C. A. Merrill 1888-1891 

Rev. J. F. Mears 1 891-1 895 

Rev. I. A. Mesler 1 895-1 898 

Rev. E. Higgins 1 898-1900 

Rev. F. H. Ellis 1 900-1 901 

Rev, W. F. Lawford 1901-1904 

Rev. R. E. Bisbee 1 904-1 908 

Rev. T. J. Judge 1908-1912 

Rev. A. M. Osgood 1912-1917 

Rev, C, F, Parsons 1917-1920 

Rev. D. M. Angel! 1920 

(57I 



In the early history of the village Catholics 
were served by the parish priest at Saxonville, 
St. George parish, many of them walking back 
and forth on Sundays, and burials were made 
there. Mass was often said at varying intervals 
in Assabet Village in private houses on upper 
Main Street until Union Hall was built in 1857 
which was then used. In 1864, Archbishop 
Williams assigned them to the Marlboro parish, 
and through the efforts of Rev. Fr. John Conlon, 
a church was erected on upper Main Street and 
dedicated September 1866 by Archbishop Wil- 
liams. In 1 87 1, Rev. Fr. O'Reilley was appoint- 
ed resident pastor and St. Bridget's parish came 
into existence. Rev. Timothy Brosnahan fol- 
lowed as pastor until 1873 when it became a 
mission of St. Bernard's parish. Concord, and 
continued so until 1894. Rev. Michael J. McCall 
served from 1 877-1894 and during his pastorate 
the present church was built, being dedicated in 
1884 by Archbishop Williams. January i, 1894, 
the parish was re-established with Rev. John A. 
Crowe as pastor who served until 1905. The 
present fine parsonage was built during Rev. B. 
F. Killilea's term, in 1906. He was followed by 
Rev. Walter Browne, 1909-1917; Rev. John Mc- 
Hugh, 1917-1918; and Rev. Edward F. Crowley 
was appointed, and is now in charge with Rev. 

[58] 




ST. BRIDGPrrS CATHOLIC CHURCH 



John J. Sweeney, and Rev. Edwin Walsh as 
assistants. The Polish Catholics use the base- 
ment of St. Bridget's Church for their services, 
and their title is the St. Casimir Parish, Rev. 
Francis Joblonsky in charge. 

Those who prefer the Episcopal service began 
their meetings in May 1894 with a mission given 
by Rev. Wilson L. Bevan, Ph. D., of Concord, 
held in Co-operative Hall. He was followed by 
Rev. Geo. H. Moffett and Rev. E. and H. J. 
Masse. The corner stone of the present St. 
George's Church was laid August 10, 1895, and 
the first service held the following Christmas. 

159I 



The mission was incorporated May 28, 1896, as 
the Parish of St. George, and the Church was 
consecrated by Bishop Lawrence April 24, 1897. 
Rev. Robert L. Lynch was Rector from 1896- 
1898; Rev. Robert W. Hudgell 1 898-1899. The 
present rector, Rev. Arthur B. Papineau began 
his rectorship Jan. i, 1900. 

By 1 9 10 the number of Finnish speaking peo- 
ple in town had increased so that a Lutheran 
Church was built on Glendale Street, Rev. John 
Vartianen, Pastor, and in 19 13 a Congregational 
Church on Walnut Street, Rev. John Vaananen, 
Pastor, which was dedicated December 14, 1913. 
Prior to this meetings were held, beginning in 
1903, in the Union Congregational Church. In 
19 1 7 a Russian Orthodox Church was built on 
Prospect Court, the first service being held on 
Easter Sunday. 



SOCIETIES 

For a town of its size, Maynard can boast of a 
great many societies, secret and otherwise, the 
oldest being the lola Lodge of Good Templars, 
started in 1866 and flourished for forty years, 
until crowded out by numerous other lodges, and 
numbering most of the young people ot that 
period. 

[601 




ST. GEORGE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 




FINNISH CONGREGATIONAL CHLRCH 



Chas. A. Welch Lodge, F. & A. M., was insti- 
tuted March i, 1872 and is a large and influential 
body. Maynard Lodge, L O. O. F., was institu- 
ted April 2, 1884. Assabet Lodge, M. U., L O. 
O. F., on January 17, 1884; Knights of Pythias, 
July 25, 1898. There is also Magdalene Chapter, 
Eastern Star; the Mizpah Rebekah Lodge, the 
Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Eagles, Loyal 
Order of Moose and also a Finnish Socialist Club, 
with about 150 members holding their meetings 
in Parker Street Hall. The Grange was institu- 
ted in 1914 and there is also a Holy Name Society, 
White Cross Guild7 Knights of Columbus, and 
the "Double Triangle", a social club composed of 
Jewish people. 

A post of the American Legion was formed in 
1 919 with headquarters in Riverside Hall, — the 
Frank Demars Post — named in honor of the first 
Maynard man to fall in the World War. St. 
Bridget's Catholic Temperance and Benevolent 
Society has long met in Co-operative Hall, while 
the Alku Temperance Society cater to the Fin- 
nish people in the Harriman House on upper 
Main Street. 

The need of a hall for public gatherings was 
felt as early as 1857 when twenty citizens assoc- 
iated themselves together and built Union Hall 
at Main and Summer Streets where the Method- 

[62] 




RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH 




COLONIAL HALL AN'D POST OFFICL 



ist Church now stands. The lower floor was 
used as a store; in the basement was located the 
first billiard table in town; in the north end, the 
first barber shop was opened by James M. Saw- 
yer, on his return from service in the Civil War. 
The hall was used tor all public functions until 
Riverside Hall was built, late in the sixties by the 
Maynards. Co-operative Hall was built in 1882 
and Colonial Hall, built by the Naylors, was 
opened February 19 14. The large building on 
Harriman Court known as George Flood's barn, 
was remodelled in 1920 and named Pastime Hall. 
The People's Theatre is at present under con- 
struction on Nason Street. Moving pictures 
are shown several nights during each week by B. 
J. Coughlin in Colonial Hall. 

The first hotel was built on Summer Street by 
Peter Haley in 1867 and named the Glendale 
House, on account of the Assabet Mills at that 
time making blankets ticketed "Glendale Mills 
Blanket"; later the name was changed to the 
Maynard Hotel, enlarged twice, scorched by fire 
several times and finally practically destroyed by 
fire January 29, 1921. The Maple House was 
built and managed by George F. Cutting for 
many years and is now occupied by William 
Campbell. 

A Public Library now containing about 7000 
books was opened April 4, 188 1, in a room of the 

[64I 




PUBLIC LIBRARY 



Acton Street School, the first appropriation being 
|i,ooo. Joseph W. Reed was greatly interested 
in it and was one of the trustees, purchasing most 
of the books, and together with his wife caring 
for the library some time after it was opened; 
they prepared the first catalog, x^bout 1885 it 
was moved to the Riverside Co-operative Build- 
ing, remaining there until July 13, 1918, when it 
was removed to new quarters on Nason Street, in 
the Naylor Block. Mrs. Sara Nyman has been 
the librarian for thirty-six years, and has had 
Miss Nellie May as assistant until recently when 
she was succeeded by Mrs. Mary Moynihan, the 
present assistant. 






6^ 



The Assabet Institution for Savings was open- 
ed June 1904 in the Riverside Hall building with 
C. J. Bodfish, President, and Alfred T. Haynes, 
Treasurer. The deposits are now $675,000, with 
a fine conservative record under the guidance of 
the president Charles H. Persons, and the treas- 
urer Arthur E. Walker. 

The Maynard Trust Company opened Nov. 
24, 1 9 13, with a capital of $50,000, George H. 
Creighton, President, Charles E. Wheeler, Treas- 
urer. It furnishes facilities for the people of this 
and surrounding towns, and enjoys a well estab- 
lished confidence. Its savings department and 
safety deposit boxes supply a needed service to 
the community. The present treasurer is Frank 
E. Taylor, his assistant John Garlick. 

There are a number of attractive and well con- 
ducted stores in this town: — 



Groceries 



Riverside Co-operative Association 

Sidney E. McCleary 

James J. Hilferty 

United Co-operative Society (Finnish) 

First National Co-operative Ass'n (Finnish) 

International Co-operative Ass'n (Polish) 

Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. 

Jersey Butter Co. 

Keefe's Co-operative 

Taylor & White 

[661 



Dry Goods 



Markets 



Bakers 



Florist 



William B. Case & Sons 
The Hartwell Co. 
A. N. Hodges 
Jacob Oberg 

James O. Eaton 
W. H. Priest 
A. Distasio 
John Zaniewski 
The Assabet Market 

S. E. McCleary 
L. J. Estella 

United Co-operative Society 

First National Co-operative Association 



Albert Batley & Son 
Granite Works 

Robert E. Hartin 
Fish, Fruit and Vegetables 

William O'Brien 

George Kahler 

William Bishop 
Furniture 

Gruber Bros. 

The American Supply Co. 
The Riverside Co-operative Association is one of the 
oldest co-operative institutions in the state, being founded 
on the famous Rochdale plan, and originally called the 
Sovereigns of Industry, instituted December 21, 1875 ^^^ 
the organization perfected in 1878 for trade purposes. 

[67 1 



B. F. Townsend carries on a large Tinsmith find Plumb- 
ing businesss on Nason St. On Lower Main Street, 
George Stansfield, has a smaller plumbing establishment. 



Tailors 

Printers 
Photographer 



P. J. Sullivan 
George Laubenstein 
Strauss Bros. 

Murphy & Snyder 

George D. Elson 



There are numerous tonsorial establishments in town, 
among the most well known being Frank L. McCormack 
and Arthur Bariteau. 
Druggists 

M. B. Church 

Wilder X. Macurda 

Frank Fearns 

P. H. Delee 

The first druggist was Thomas Wouldhave, starting in 
his home in 1865 with a small stock, at the corner of Main 
and River Streets where Clark Block now stands; from 
this small beginning grew the large business now conducted 
by M. B. Church. 



Physicians 



F. P. Flagg 
M. H. Paine 
S. B. Annis 
Dwight Cowles 
E. J- Flaherty 

[68 



Dentists 

S. R. Garland 
R. C. Palmer 
Louis E. Sullivan 
Robert H. Cochran 
Clifford L. King 
J. M. Bellows 
Frank May 

The Maydale Bottling Co., on Glendale Street, does 
a large tonic business — Paul Hilander, Proprietor. 

The laundry on Powder Mill Road handles a large wet 
wash business under the title Middlesex F'amily Laundry, 
also doing finished laundry. The large unused laundry 
building on upper Main Street, was formerly run by the 
Harriman Bros., but has been idle a number of \'ears. 



Clothing 



Hardware 



Music 



The Boston Clothing Co. 
Samuel Lerer 
The New Idea 

Thomas F. Parker 
John McPherson 



Charles H. Persons 
Robert C. Carter 
Edith L. Johnson 

Coal and Wootl 

The Maynard Coal Co. 
Clarence E Hastings 

Ice 

B. L. Whitney 

[69] 



Jeweler 

George H. Gutteridge 

Newsdealer 

James J. Ledgard 
Mrs. C. C. Murray 

Shoes 

P. H. Murphy 
F. A. Creighton 
M. M. Poresky 

Several of the large stores also carry a line of Boots 
and Shoes. 



Lawyers 



Milliners 



Garages 



Trucking 



Howard A. Wilson 
Alfred E. McCIeary 
Leslie W. Sims 

Misses Comeau 
B. L. Fullonton 
The Hartwell Co. 

James A. Coughlan 
Holly & Comeau 

W. O. Strout 
Ernest Barilone 



The F. W. Woolworth Co. have a very attractive 5 and 
10 cent store; there are several small fruit and confec- 
tionery stores and a popular Smoke Shop; a couple of 
restaurants and three lunch carts. 

[70] 




POWDER MILL VILLAGE 

Many of our men find employment in the large plant of 
the American Powder Mills just over the line in x'\cton, 
although much of their property lies within our town 
limits. Their occasional explosions, sometimes serious, 
do not permit us to ignore their existence. The superinten- 
dent is George B. Hooper, who has grown up with the 
business, succeeding his father Edmund B. Hooper, who 
came here in 1866. 

This town boasts two weekly newspapers, "The Enter- 
prise" printed in Marlboro and "The News" printed in 
Hudson. There are three Brass Bands, The Maynard 
Brass, and two Finnish — The Imatra and The National. 
There are several excellent orchestras and a newly organ- 
ized Glee Club. 



71 1 



The fine "Town Clock" on the Mills was given 
by Lorenzo Maynard and placed in position in 
the Fall of 1892, the tower having been erected 
by the Assabet Manufacturing Co. 

Eco Magneto clocks for night patrol records 
were installed in 191 8. 

At the Town Meeting February 191 7 the town 
colors Blue and White were chosen. 

This is one of the Chautauqua towns on the 
Strathmore Circuit. Each season their large 
tent is erected and a five day series of lectures 
and entertainments given which the people ap- 
preciate very much. 

In the Fall of 1920 the women were given the 
right to vote, Miss Laura E. Woodart being the 
first to cast a ballot, and at the Town Meeting, 
March 1921, Mrs. O. S. Fowler was the first 
woman to take an active part. The Woman's 
Club organized March 1904, has been a big fac- 
tor in preparing the women for the intelligent use 
of their suffrage rights, besides being active in 
many other lines. 

On petition of P. J. Sullivan and others, the 
Uniteci States Post Office Department granted 
free delivery, beginning July i, 1920. Four 
carriers are employed, and Arthur J. Coughlin is 
Postmaster with an efficient office force. 

[72] 




LORENZO MAYNARD 



Following the town boundry lines, we find the 
lines of four towns, Sudbury, Concord, Acton and 
Maynard intersect at one point; that the boun- 
dary line on the west crosses "Russell's Bridge", 
about seven-eights of the bridge being in May- 
nard; at the southeast corner, the bound post is 
described as being near the "Iron Works Cause- 
way". Probably very few people know the early 

[73] 



settlers found Iron ore here, Hudson records 
that what is known as "bog iron" was dug near 
the Sudbury Hne, carted to Lee's bridge and 
floated down the Sudbury River to Billerica, the 
stretch of road from the Maynard line to the Cut- 
ting place being known as the "Iron Works 
Causeway". 

Back in the sixties, it was very inconvenient to 
be sick, as there was neither telephone nor doc- 
tors in the village and you had to ask a triend to 
walk or hire a horse and drive to Stow tor Dr. 
Livermore or to Acton Centre for Dr. Cowdry. 

Numerous changes in the location of buildings 
have been made from time to time as improve- 
ments required. The block No. 143-147 Main 
Street, formerly stood where the shoddy mill 
now is and was the first wool shop; when moved 
it was converted into a factory boarding house 
but is now used for separate tenements. No. 3 
High Street stood where the shipping room 
building now stands, and No. 4 High Street, 
where our present depot is now situated. At 
159 Main Street, called the Central House, Mrs. 
Hillis ran a boarding house for years, but it was 
originally a livery stable. 

The Findly Robertson House near the post- 
office was moved to Acton Street to give place to 
a new block at Naylor corner. To make room 

[74] 




PEOPLE'S THEATRE AND STORES 



for the new block No. 2-10 Nason Street and the 
new People's Theatre, the Dean millinery build- 
ing went to 73 Nason Street, now being used 
as a dwelling house; the old double house, owned 
by Amory Maynard, to 14 Waltham Street, and 
another one, formerly occupied by Henry Le- 
gard, was removed to Acton Street. 

Like most other towns Maynard has had its 
share of fires which claimed the Maynard Hotel 
and the Nason Street School, and in addition to 
these, the old Music Hall on Main Street des- 
troyed November 26, 191 2. In this hall, many 
events of importance to the people ot that day 

[751 



were staged; during the roller skating craze, it was 
there that B, J. Coughlin and others contended 
for the championship. The basket ball furore fol- 
lowed this, and the great Merchant's week exhi- 
bition was held here. Admiral Sampson and Lieut. - 
Gov. Bates honoring us with their presence. On 
February 4, 1917, Naylor's block at the corner ot 
Main and Nason Streets went up in smoke and 
the American Woolen Co., on August 17, 1920 
lost their barn and several wooden store houses 
on Hillside Street, among them being the old 
original mill building ot 1846. 

The Assabet Mill is just emerging trom the 
longest period of depression in its history, inci- 
dent to industrial conditions following the great 
World War and the re-adjustment of business to 
meet changed conditions. From June 1920 to 
March i, 1921, employment averaged about 
33%, which followed so soon after four weeks 
suspension of business in November 1919, due to 
an industrial controversy, fell with force upon 
the community. Since June 1919 the American 
Woolen Company have protected their employ- 
ees by insurance, free of expense, the death 
benefits ranging from $750 to $1500, according 
to the length of time employed and weekly sick 
benefit of from 40% to 80% of their average 
wages. 

[761 



In 1 87 1 our appropriation tor Highways was 
$1000, laborers receiving $2 per day. Since the 
advent of automobiles, especially auto trucks, it 
is necessary to have better roads and our present 
expense averages from $14,000 to $16,000 per 
annum. The well kept condition of our streets 
is due to the efficiency of our Superintendent, 
John J. Driscoll. Improvements are made each 
season, oil applied and in 1.9 12 a steam roller was 
purchased on account of the increased use of 
stone in road building. 

Maynard has been the recipient of four water- 
ing troughs; the one at Main and Sudbury 
Streets is unique, being first made spherical for 
one of the battlefields but before leaving the shop, 
was damaged and useless for the place intended 
and it was secured by Mr, Thomas H. Rafferty, 
converted into a trough and set up as a memorial 
to his father, an old resident of West Main Street. 
Mrs. Asahel Balcom gave the one at the cross 
roads beyond the Cemetery. Lorenzo Maynard 
presented the one on Walnut St., and Warren A. 
Haynes the one on Acton St. The drinking 
fountain in front of the Congregational Church 
was erected in 191 1 by Mrs. Luke S. Brooks in 
memory of her husband. 

The population of the town is now about 7200 
people, a very cosmopolitan community, twenty 

f-7l 






different nationalities are represented, the Eng- 
lish language being an unknown "quantity" to 
many, hence our appropriation in 1921 for 
Americanization. The most numerous of our 
European friends are the Finns, Poles, Italians 
and Russians in the order named. 

Several Maynard men saw service in the 
Spanish War of 1898. Unfortunately no record 
was kept, but we have been able to secure the 
following names: 

William Brindley 

James H. Cheney 

John Driscoll ^ 

James McCarron ^■:i ' 

George Rodan 

John Wagner 

THE CIVIL WAR. 

Assabet Village was credited by Stow and 
Sudbury with thirty-six men who entered the 
war of the rebellion in 1 861-65; the following 
list is as accurate as we are able to obtain at this 
late day: — 

Adams, Joseph, (lost one Cowrie, Robert 

arm.) Callahan, John - 

Benham, Winfield H. Lieut. Cullen, Richard > 

Brown, Samuel G. Corp. Dooner, James 

Brown, Henry S. Dooner, Michael 

Barr, William Flood, George 

Cullen, James Flynn, Daniel B. 

[78] 



HefFernan, James 
Haynes, Sylvester 
Keene, James 
Long, Cornelius 
Long, Dennis 
Lovering, Daniel A. 
McCauley, Matthew 
Newton, Augustus 
O'Donnell, John 
Puffer, Mark 
Puffer, Rockwood 
Perry, Charles 



Robertson, Archibald, (kil- 
led in action.) 

Robertson, George, (killed 
in action.) 

Sheehan, Dennis 

Sloss, David 

Sweeney, Daniel 

Stuart, Jeremiah 

Sawyer, James M. 

Whitman, John 

Wouldhave, John 

Wilder, Henry W. Sergt. 

Wilder, Granville W. 



The following prominent G. A. R. men came 
here soon after the close of the Civil War — A. D. 
Holt, James Carney, John Wall, William G. 
Priest. Henry Wilson Post G. A. R. No. 86, was 
organized and flourished until death depleted its 
ranks and it was merged with the Isaac Davis 
Post of Acton. In the great World War which 
began in August 19 14, and into which America 
entered April 6, 1917, this town furnished about 
340 young men, seven of whom died in the ser- 
vice; some were shell shocked, many received 
wounds, others were badly gassed; many of them 
wer^ promoted, others were cited for bravery. J^ 
Q-"^Sidney Coulter rose to the post of Major; ' - 
John E. Hietala lost a leg; the following privates 
made the supreme sacrifice: — 



79 



A9 



.y^ 




Demars, Frank E. (wounds received in action) 

Daley, George A. (motor cycle accident) 

Dzierkacz, Anthony, (wounds received in action) 

King, Frank, (disease) 

Miller, F.dward, (wounds received in action) 

Panton, Ralph, (disease) 

Tierney, Myles, (disease) 

A record kept by the Committee of Safety 
recorded considerable information concerning 
the boys who were in the service. An Honor 
Roll, which stands in front of the Congregational 
Church, was erected by Mrs. O. S. Fowler and 
contains the names of three hundred and forty- 
four men, and two women who were nurses in the 
hospitals. July 4, 19 19, was given over to the 
entertainment and honoring of the returned ser- 
vice men. Beautiful weather made possible a 
gala day on the ball field, each soldier and sailor 
being presented with a medal by the townsfolk. 
The boys have formed a post of the American 
Legion, named for Frank E. Demars, containing 
one hundred and seventy-five members. The 
first Commander was Michael Lynch, and the 
present one Harold Sheridan. They have now 
taken over the work formerly done by the G. A. 
R. Post, and will take charge of the exercises for 
the first time Memorial Day, 1921. 



MAYNARD HONOR ROLL 
World War. 



Adamson, John 
Anderson, Waino E. 
Arcieri, Loretto 

Barber, Walter 
Baron, William F. 
Batsford, William J. 
Beavis, Joseph F. 
Beck, John R. 
Bent, Whitney J. 
Billett, Jesse 
Binks, Frank J. 
Binns, George V. 
Blanchard, Preston M. 
Blatt, Barney 
Boothroyd, Joseph 
Bower, Phillip 
Brearley, Earl B. 
Brindley, Lawerence 
Browne, George H. B. 
Brown, Ralph 
Brown, Robert M. 
Bakanowski, Jan 
Burke, Frank 
Burke, Joseph 

Czerniawski, Jan 
Callahan, Cornelius J. 
Carey, John T. 



Carlson, John W. 

Carlton, Fred G. 

Carlton, Henry A. 

Crowley, Edward A. 

Cuttell, Harold 

Cuttell, George 

Chidley, Joseph 

Carney, James 

Carpenter, John F. 

Casey, Ralph 

Comeau, Herbert C. 

Connors, Daniel F. 

Connor, Francis G. 

Connor, Raymond J. 

Connors, Hugh 

Connors, Watson 

Cook, Elmer ,\>-' ^ . ^ • 

Coulter, C: Sidney -^'^•^•'lA^-'^/ 

Coulter, William J. 

Creeley, William A. 

Croft, Harry S. 

Cronin, James 

Cronin, John H. 

Cullen, Joseph 

Czamauski, John 

Coulter, Raymond 

Coughlin, Edward J 

Cheney, Ralph H. 



./^^ 



8l 



Doel, Job 


Gallagher, James R. 


Downey, Clifton 


Gallagher, John M. 


Dreczko, John 


Garney, Harold J. 


Dahl, Joseph 0. 


Gibbons, John T. 


*Daily, George A. 


Grady, Percy J. 


*Demars, Frank J. 


Gruber, Benjamin 


Denniston, Walter R. 




Dineen, Joseph 


Hunt, William H. 


Delorey, Louis 


Hooper, Raymond 


Distasio, Charles F. 


Hanson, Fred N. 


Dyson, Charles E. 


Hanson, Hans P. 


Doel, Herbert 


Hanson, Harold C. 


Downey, Frank 


Hanson, William, V. 


Dudinski, Stanislaw 


Hardy, John 


Dunn, John B. 


Harris, Alfred 


Dwinell, Philip 


Hartin, John A. 


Doyle, James W. 


Hatch, Parker S. 


Eaton, James H. 


Heath, Charles 


*Dzierkacz, Anthony 


Hellinus, Richard 




Hendrickson, John H. 


Fairbanks, Fred E. 


Hietala, John E. 


Fishman, Barney 


Higgins, John T. 


Fishman, Haiem 


Higgins, William H, 


Flood, Hartwell W. 


Hodges, Albert N. 


Foley, David J. 


Hoffman, Edward 


Fornier, Arthur E. 


Hohendorf, H. V. 


Fornier, William H. 


Honkanen, Hjalman 


Fowler, Guyer W. 


Hooper, Charles F. 


Fowler, Henry P. 


Hooper, Wilford P. 


Frazier, Daniel 


Hansen, John 




Howard, Allen M., Jr, 


Golubicki, Vincent 




Golat, Simon 


Irwin, Charles 




182] 



Irwin, Chester 
Jackson, Charles 
Jackson, Richard 
Jamieson, George A. 
Jamieson, Ralph A. 
Johnson, Edward E. 
Johnston, Edward F 
Jones, Dana F. 
Jones, Raymond G. 
Jones, Ralph D. 
Jesielonis, John 
Jones, William B. 

Kaler, Joseph W. 
Kozlowski, Michael 
Kaattari, Leonard 
Killerby, Fred 
Kane, Patrick J. 
Kangas, Waino 
Keegan, John H. 
Kelley, Frank 
Kelley, Walter J. 
Kelley, Vincent L. 
King, Howard 
Koski, Arthur 
Koczanowski, Ignatius 
Korbeck, Alexander 
Kozakiewicz, Boleslaw 
Kulik, Felix 
Kukkula, Svante 
Kulick, Jos. 
Kierstead, Robert 
"King, Frank 



Kaattari, Arthur 
Laskowiski, Dominick 

Lawler, Thomas 
Lawson, George 
Lawton, Ralph W. 
Ledgard, Edward F. 
Legicko, Peter 
Lehtinen, Kusti 
Lemoine, Fred F. 
Lent, Charles E. 
Lent, Roy 
Lent, Donald 
Linczewski, Alex 
Leva, Louis 
Lester, John 
Linden, Hjalmar 
Lambert, Roy F. 
Lawerence, Arlie B. 
Lingley, Ralph 
Lisiecky, Joseph 
Lojko, Zygmut 
Lojko, Michael 
Lord, Arthur W. 
Louka, Michael 
Lowney, Daniel W. 
Lowney, William T. 
Lowney, Leo 
Luker, Anthony 
Luker, Charles 
Luoma, Alfred K. 
Luosalo, George 
Luosalo, Waino E. 

I 83] 



Lynch, Jeremiah F. 
Lynch, Michael E. 
LeSage, Magloire 
LeSage, George F. A. 
Mahoney, Edward 
Maley, Stephen T. 
Mallinson, Jas. H. 
Manning, John J. 
Manning, Eugene R. 
Marchant, Wilham E. 
Mattson, Elmer W. 
May, Francis 
Meade, Samuel 
*Miller, Edward 
^Lartin, Joseph P. 
Martin, Herbert 
Manning, Frank 
Moynihan, Albert 
Murray, William 
Milusziewcz, Jan 
Millington, Roy 
Manning, Axiel 
Manning, Waino W. 
Manning, James 
Millington, Arthur 
Minko, Zachery 
Moore, Dominick D. 
Moore, William J. 
Morrill, William 
Morris, Frank E. 
Moynihan, Cornelius 
Moynihan, Frank D. 
Moynihan, John A. 



Moynihan, William 
Murdock, Francis 
Murray, John 
Muzyczuk, Gregory 
McCarthy, Emmet L. 
McCarthy, Luke J. 
McGrath, William T. 
Mickiewicz, John 
Misiuk, Casimir 
Murray, Thomas 
Murray, Walter C. 
Matheuman, Chas. H. 
McCormick, Dennis P. 
McCormack, Roy V. 
Marsden, John 

Nelson, Roy C. 
Ncwhouse, Raymond 
Newton, Ralph P. 
Niemi, Waino 
Nokelainen, John 
Nordberg, John R. 
Norton, Henry G. 
Nowick, Joseph 
Narkun, John 

O'Brien, Fred 
O'Neil, Robert J. 
Gates, William 
Gates, Arthur 
G'Brien, William H. 



Poreda, Alexander 



84 



Pronski, Francis 
Palmer, Raymond 
*Panton, Ralph 
Parker, Bradford 
Parker, Charles O. 
Parker, Orrin J. 
Parks, Frank E. 
Parmenter, Daniel L. 
Parmenter, Joel F. 
Parsons, Carl D. 
Payne, George B. 
Payne, Joseph 
Perry, George 
Persons, Carl C. 
Peterson, Benjamin J. 
Peterson, Carl A. 
Peterson, John P. 
Peterson, Leon N. 
Peterson, Walter R. 
Punty, Charles 
Pynne, Patrick J. 
Parkkila, John 
Pronski, Gabriel 

Quinn, William 

Rajewicz, Ludwick 
Richardson, James P. 
Rahko, Hannes 
Rasmussen, Albert J. 
Rasmussen, Ernest A. 
Rusielewicz, John 
Riley, Albert 



Roberts, Colombo 
Rodway, Herbert R. 
Riihiluoma, Victor 
Ryan, Charles J. 
Ryan, James J. 
Rychlickie, Julius 
Rynkewitz, Michael 
Rusielewicz, Casimir 

Shattuck, Ralph 
Sawyer, Oscar S. 
Schultz, Peter 
Scott, Sidney 
Sharpe, David G., jr, 
Sheridan, Harold V. 
Simonds, Henry J. 
Smith, Clarence A. 
Smith, Frank 
Smith, Raymond A. 
Smith, Frank D. 
Smith, Leonard 
Smith, Thomas \ . 
Stankiewicz, John 
Stedes, Joseph 
Stockwell, William 
Stone, Russell 
Sullivan, Vincent 
Slabysz, Leon 
Strybus, Vincent 
Szilkonis, Phillip 
Sullivan, Louis E. 
Sweeney, William A. 
Sweeney, James V. 



85 



Siemienak, Stanislaw 
Swaney, Carrol R. 
Septlivicz, Roman 
Sullivan, Thomas 
Sullivan, Joseph 

*Tierney, Myles 
Toop, Everett J. 
Taylor, Gavin A. 
Taylor, Charles Percy 
Taylor, John W. 
Taylor, William O. 
Tobin, Eden 
Tervo, Waino H. 
Trocky, Antony 
Tofferi, Oscar 

Usher, Charles P. 

Vodoklys, Stanley 
Valeno, Tony 

Waluk, Sylvester 
Waldron, Vincent 
Weaver, Blanchard E. 
White, Everett 



Wasiuk, Anthony 
Wasiuk, Stanley 
Wasiuk, Louis 
Weir, William G. 
Whalen, Albert J. 
Whalen, James E. 
White, Harold 
White, Joseph A. 
White, Leo 
Whitney, Alton P. 
Whitney, Levi 
Whittaker, George H. 
Wilder, Frank E. 
Wilder, Fred J. 
Williams, Waino 
Wirtanen, John 
Wuorio, Oscar 

Young, Jason 

Zapasnik, Joseph 
Zapasnik, William 
Zakrewski, John 
Zwirble, Vladisav 
Zieniewicz, Vincent 



AMERICAN RED CROSS. 

Howard, Ethel M. Wall, Madeline E. 

*Star indicates those who died in service. 

Honor Roll includes native sons, resident elsewhere, 
enrolled at the request of relatives here. 

[861 



TOWN OFFICERS, 19I1 



Town Clerk. 
Frank E. Sanderson. 

Selectmen. 
Frank S. Binks, 
Edwin Carlton, 
Charles B. Keane. 

Treasurer. 
Geo. H. Gutteridge. 

Overseers of Poor. 
James Mullin, 
Thomas Wright, 
Wilham Scully, Jr. 

Water Commissioner. 
Gavin Taylor, 
John Lawton, 
Orrin S. Fowler. 

School Committee. 
James J. Hilferty, 
Samuel R. Garland, 
L. Everett Wilson. 

Tree Warden. 
William Bishop. 

Auditors. 
Oliver C. Trees, 
Carl A. Stockbridge. 



Trustees of Public 
Library. 

L. Everett Wilson, 
Robert Lester, 
John Hannon. 

Board of Health. 
Mortimer H. Paine, 
Orrin S. Fowler, 
Joshua Edwards. 

Assessors. 
John C. King, 
James J. Legard, 
Joshua Nay lor. 

Constables. 
John Connors, 
N. J. Driscoll, 
Patrick J. Kane. 

Tax Collector. 
William H. Mann. 

Cemetery Committee. 
Fred Taylor, 
Ainsley O. Dunham, 
Lewis N. Shaw. 

Moderator. 
Horace F. Bates. 



[87] 



GENEALOGY. 

There are several old families which have been 
so intimately connected with the early history 
of the town that it would seem fitting to mention 
them, but space will permit recording only a few 
of the older ones, whose descendants are still 
residents. 

AmoryMaynard was born in the northeast part 
of Marlboro, at the foot of Fort Meadow Pond, 
February 28, 1804; he was called to his reward 
March 5, 1890, his remains together with his 
wife lie in the family tomb near Glenwood Ceme- 
tery. His parents were Isaac and Lydia (Howe) 
Maynard. 

We find the name of Maynard in Sudbury 
previous to 1646. John, one of the ancestors of 
Amory, died there in 1672; he had a son named 
Zachary, born in 1647, and who lived at one time 
near the "spring". This "spring" was on the 
northeast side of what is now Waltham Street, 
at the head of the brook, which flows by the 
lower end of the sewerage beds, and which shows 
that the Maynard family have long been known 
in this section and were among the first settlers. 
Amory had two sons, Lorenzo who died in Win- 
chester March 13, 1904, and William, who died 
in Worcester Nov. 9, 1906. Lorenzo had one 

[88] 



son, William H. now a resident of Winchester. 
William left sons and daughters — Amory of this 
town; Harland of Newton; Nettie, Grace and 
Lessie (Morgan) of Worcester, and Susan (Peters) 
of Somerville. 

Winthrop Puffer, who resided on the old Puf- 
fer place (mentioned elsewhere) had one son 
James and a daughter Acieliza, both deceased, 
and another daughter Lucy A. who married 
Augustus Newton. Mrs. Newton and her son, 
George with his wife and son Ralph, who recently 
married, now reside on Summer Street; they were 
for many years the owners of the famous Way- 
side Inn in Sudbury. 

Haman Smith left several sons, George, Ben- 
jamin, Dexter and Asa. George had one daugh- 
ter, Georgianna (Brown), her first husband being 
Frank Taylor. Of her family there now remain 
Amy, wife of W. F. Litchfield, who occupy the 
old homestead on Great Road; also Fred W Tay- 
lor, who has two daughters, Gladys (McLean) 
and Reba. 

Benjamin, who lived in the house west of 
George's (now occupied by Howard Case) had 
two daughters, Emma (Barnes) and Hattie, wife 
of Lucius H. Maynard. Dexter lived on Con- 
cord Street in the old house next to Charles 
Crossley; one of his daughters, Lucy Abby was 

[89) 



married to Warren A. Haynes; their son Albert 
W., our prominent grain and lumber dealer, 
married Jennie Broadbent who, with their two 
daughters, reside on Maple Street. The first 
Benjamin Smith, father of Haman, was a prom- 
inent man in this part of Stow from 1800 to 1825. 

Henry Fowler was at one time a teacher at the 
old "Brick School"; he had a family of five 
boys and one girl. Herbert occupies the old 
homestead on Elm Court and has two married 
daughters. This old homestead has been in the 
family since 1739 according to a deed in their 
possession. Loring, of Concord Junction, has 
been a merchant and real estate man for years; 
George was in business in Framingham, it being 
now carried on by his son. Orrin S. married 
Nellie Pope; they have two sons, Harvard grad- 
uates; Harry, a lawyer, now in Washington, 
D. C, and Guyer. Mr. Fowler, in addition to 
to his other pursuits, carries on the undertaking 
business established by his father in 1871; they 
reside on Concord Street, on the old Randall 
farm, which he purchased and cut up into house 
lots. 

Artemas Whitney, son of Daniel Whitney, who 
lived on the Joel Parmenter place on South Acton 
Road, lived for many years on Main Street 
(opposite the school-house) and afterwards on 

[90] 



Maple Street. He had two daughters and sev- 
eral sons; Lucy married W. B. Case who with 
their two sons, Ralph and Howard, conduct a 
large dry goods store; Mary married James R. 
Bent, son of Johnathan P. Bent on Summer St. 
Calvin, Frank and George E. took to farming. 
George has a farm on the west side of Acton 
Road, and has several sons, one of whom Clifford 
met death by being caught between two coal cars 
while switching was being done in his coal yard. 
Calvin occupied the old Conant-Goldsmith farm 
near the Acton line; he left sons and daughters. 

John, another son of Daniel Whitney, lived at 
the old homestead farm until he purchased a 
home on Maple Street. One of his sons Henry 
married Margaret Dawson; another, Charles, 
married Addie Walcott and died early leaving 
one daughter, Charlena. George A. married 
Emma Sharpe; several daughters survive him, 
one of whom is the wife of Harold Butterworth. 

Joel F. Parmenter, who took the Daniel Whit- 
ney farm after John Whitney, had several sons. 
Daniel and his son carry on a farm and general 
teaming business on Concord Street Richard, 
one of the overseers in the mill, purchased the 
Kent house on Summer Street, where he now 
lives; he has three daughters. Harry and Jonas 
reside in Worcester. 

[91] 



Jonathan P. Bent owned one of the largest 
stock farms in this vicinity, coming to the east 
part of Stow from his native town of Sudbury in 
1847, the year which saw the beginning ot the 
Assabet Mills, and purchased the "John Conant" 
place at the head ot Summer Street. This house 
was one of the oldest land marks of the town, 
having been built more than one hundred and 
fifty years and the two magnificent elms which 
shaded the buildings were said to be the largest 
and oldest of their kind in Eastern Massachu- 
setts. Mr. Bent was active in town affairs, 
being on the Board of Selectmen and holding 
other oi^ces for more than twenty years. He 
was a member of the Committee who drew the 
lines for the new town and his farm marked one 
of the boundaries. He was one of Maynard's 
first selectmen and continued as such several 
years. He died in 1892 survived by five child- 
ren, — Mrs. Helen Curtis and Sara W. of this 
town; Mrs. Wm. Andrews of Lowell; John G. 
Bent, who died in Pasadena, Calif., n 1918; 
and James R. Bent, a prominent citizen, who 
died here May 1920. All the buildings of the 
homestead, together with the trees, were burned 
in December 191 2. A local paper says of them 
"Older residents of the town remember that one 
of the finest bits of scenery in the old days was to 

[921 





1 




1 





JONATHAN P. BF.NT PLACE 



Stand on the hill and look down the valley in its 
excellent state of cultivation and which was only 
outrivalled by the spectacular finish of the prop- 
erty on Sunday evening." James left one son, 
Whitney and a daughter Pauline, wife of Carl 
Persons, son of Charles H. Persons, and who is 
a prominent physician in New Bedford. 

Thomas H. Brooks, who lived on Summer 
Street, belonged to a family actively connected 
with our early history. A son Thomas went to 
Montevideo, where he married and engaged in 
business; another son, Luke S. carried on the 
home farm until his death, specializing in fruits, 

[93] 



both here and in Florida, and is survived by his 
widow Josie. A daughter, Mary Jane married 
Joseph W. Reed of Acton, a Harvard graduate 
and able lawyer; their son Brooks Reed has an 
art gallery in Boston. 

George F. Brown is the son of Ezekiel Brown, 
a farmer on Acton Road; he married Mary Eliza 
Whitman and had one daughter Alice, wife of 
Irving Howe. They occupy the old homestead 
which was erected about 1830. 

Silas P. Brooks, a brother of Thomas H., had a 
farm on Summer Street, corner of Summer Lane; 
he had one son and three daughters; Minnie mar- 
ried Frank D. Gilmore and a son and daughter 
survive them; Lydia, is the wife of John O. 
Thompson, and they have two sons, George and 
Eugene, both married; Mary lives with her sister 
Lydia. 

George Flood, one of the early mill operatives, 
left two sons who were prominent in town affairs 
for years. John W. held various town of^ces, 
was a deacon in the Congregational Church, 
active in Sunday School work and a member of 
the first Sunday School started in the old depot. 
He is survived by his widow and one son Hart- 
well, a graduate of Dartmouth. The other son 
George held town ofhce, was postmaster and ran 
a livery stable in what is now called Pastime Hall. 

1 94 J 



He was taken prisoner in the Civil War and 
endured the horrors of Libby Prison for four 
months; one daughter, Effie Starr King survives 
him, 

Joseph Adams, another old mill man, served 
in the Civil War and returned with one arm 
missing; his three daughters still claim theirhome 
here and a son Joseph lives in Winchester; George, 
the elder son, was for years Superintendent of 
the Westboro Insane Hospital, and William re- 
sides in Maine. 

William Cullen, who lived on Glendale Street, 
is survived by three daughters, Mrs. John King, 
Mrs. Edward Doherty and Mrs. Michael Kelley 
of Cancord Junction. 

William H. Gutteridge came here in 1863, 
although his parents, Robert Tanget Gutteridge 
and Mary Wood worked here in 1847 before their 
marriage. Mary boarded with Mr. Maynard 
and wound the first bobbin in the Assabet Mill. 
Robert was a carpet weaver, and after their 
marriage went to Fremont, N. Y. where their 
children were born; Mary (Stuart) has lived for 
years in San Francisco and William has been 
Paymaster at the Mills since 1882. He held the 
office of Town Treasurer several years and was 
succeeded by his son George H. the well known 

I95I 



jeweler; another son Clarence is an electrician in 
Lawrence. 

The Haynes brothers, Abel G., Warren A., 
Alfred T., and Asahel came from North Sudbury 
in the sixties, opened a grocery store in the old 
Union Hall Building where the Mossmans and 
George T. C. Holden had previously had charge. 
Later they located in the old L A. Prouty store 
(now 139 Main Street) where they also kept the 
Postoffice, moving a few years later to Riverside 
Block. Asa afterwards entered the clothing 
business and Alfred conducted a furniture busi- 
ness. Abel has one daughter, wife of Arthur E. 
Walker, treasurer of the Assabet Institution for 
Savings. Alfred has two daughters, Mrs. Clar- 
ence S. Bodfish and Mrs. Charles Wilcox. 

Walter Whitman of Lincoln Street, is a grand- 
son of John Whitman mentioned elsewhere and 
has in his possession a good map of Stow dated 
1830. 

Mary, Nellie and Annie Joyce, long time resi- 
dents of Spring Lane are daughters of John Joyce 
who came here when the mill dam and railroad 
were under construction, as did Timothy Moyni- 
han and Michael Sweeney. Mr. Moynihan is 
survived by a son Timothy B., our Asst. -Post- 
master and daughters Minnie, Lena and Lucy 
(Sullivan); also John who resides in Brockton. 

1 96] 




JOHN dp:an housf. 



Michael Sweeney had three sons — James, now 
deceased, was a prominent lawyer; Charles, who 
occupies the old homestead on Main Street, and 
Thomas, residing on Lincoln Street, have grow- 
ing families — Thomas sending two sons to service 
in the World War. 

Cornelius Mahoney was early on the ground, 
taking a farm on Waltham Street, which is now 
covered with dwelling houses. He is survived 
by two sons, Cornelius and John. 

Daniel Reardon, whose farm adjoined Ma- 
honey's, and now a part of the New Village, was 
an early settler. His son John H. of Cambridge 

I 97 I 



is a frequent visitor; his daughter, Mrs. Patrick 
Lawton has two sons, John and Frank, well 
known newspaper men. 

The Crowley family is represented by Michael 
J., and his sons and daughters. The Long fam- 
ily by Nellie Long. The Thomas Deane family, 
by two daughters, Mrs. Hugh Miller and Mrs. 
William H. Priest. 

John Dean, who lived on the Acton Road,Iett 
a son, Thomas of Concord Street and daughters 
of whom Lizzie, Jennie, Emma and Margaret 
(Whitney) reside in Maynard. Mr. Dean suf- 
fered death at the hands of Lorenzo Barnes. A 
clipping from a Boston paper says — "The last 
execution by hanging in Massachusetts was in 
the jail at East Cambridge on March 4, 1898, 
Lorenzo Barnes was hanged for the murder of 
John Dean, a Maynard farmer, on December 17, 
'1896." 

Bernard McCormack came here in 1856 and 
lived on Park Street, where his daughters Mary 
J. and Sarah reside. He was the father of 
George and grandfather of Frank, our genial 
barbers. Roy, son of George, served in the 
World War. 

Levi R. Cheney is the only one of a once large 
family now with us and was born in the old house 
on Summer Lane, now occupied by James Stott. 

[98] 




MR. AND MRS. LEVI R. CHENEY 

He attended the Northwest district school and 
has held town office at various times. He has 
two sons and two daughters — Ralph, one of the 
Harvard College faculty; Howard, living in 
Worcester. Levi has a brother Edward in 
Nashua, and a brother Henry is survived by 
James, named for his grandfather, a carpenter of 
former days. Levi and Mary Billington were 
the first couple married in this town, according 
to the records. 

John Sanders, an old time teamster and livery 
stable keeper, before the days of railroads and 
autos, kept a stable on Waltham Street, No. 26, 
and later on Main Street, and hauled freight 



99 



between here and Boston. Mrs. Mary Jannell 
is the only one of the once large family now liv- 
ing here. 

Timothy Buckley, an old time resident on 
Summer Street, and for years coachman for 
Lorenzo Maynard, recently returned to town 
where he feels most at home. 

William White came about 1859; one of his 
sons, John H., husband of Julia Buckley, lives on 
Percival Street, and has a large family, and was 
coachman for Amory Maynard for a number of 
years. One of his sisters married John Moyni- 
han of High Street, their three sons being in the 
World W^ar, Sergeant William also being on duty 
on the Mexican border. 

John Callahan, a veteran of the Civil War, 
who lived where the Haynes Lumber Yard now 
is, left a son, and a daughter Mary, who married 
George Swan ton. 

Thomas Wouldhave, the first druggist, was one 
of the early mill men; his son Robert is in the 
west; a grandaughter, Mrs. Jennie Parrish and a 
grandson, W^illiam McGarry reside here. Mr. 
McGarry has in his possession a rare old map of 
Sudbury. 

Harry A. Chase was the first child born in the 
town who is with us to celebrate the fiftieth anni- 
versary. 

[ 100 1 



FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY. 



At the annual town meeting, March 7, 1921, 
it was voted to celebrate in an appropriate 
manner on April 19, the fiftieth anniversary of 
the founding of the town. Moderator Horace F. 
Bates and Clerk Frank E. Sanderson were in- 
structed to appoint a committee of twenty-one, 
who were to meet and add to their number suf^ci- 
ent to create a good working force and carry out 
a definite program, which being done, the follow- 
ing committees were appointed: — 



General 



Postmaster x^rthur J. Coughlan, Chairman 
Town Clerk Frank Y.. Sanderson, Secretary 
Charles H. Persons, Treasurer 



Music. 
Edwin Carlton, 
Frank S. Binks, 
Charles B. Keene, 
Fred W. Taylor. 
Gavin Taylor. 

Co in m u n ity Sing'nig. 
Mrs. Howard A. \\'ilson, 
Mrs. Albert W. Haynes, 
Mrs. Ralph Case, 
Mrs. Brooks Reed, 
Mrs. Irvinu; Howe. 



Invitations. 
George H. Gutteridge, 
Mrs. John Horan, 
Mrs. Irving Howe, 
P. J. Sullivan, 
Fred W, Taylor. 

Printing. 
P'rank E. Sanderson, 
William Naylor, 
Alfred E. McCleary, 
Wallace C. Priest, 
John Higgins. 



[lOl] 



History. 
William H. Gutteridge, 
Mrs. John Horan, 
C. J. Lynch. 

Honorary Membership. 
Charles H. Persons, 
Mrs. Frank Sanderson, 
Mrs. John Horan, 
William H. Gutteridge, 
Albert Batley. 

Sunday Observance. 
Albert Batley, 
William H. Gutteridge, 
James J. Morgan. 

School Observance. 
William H. Millington, 
Horace F. Bates, 
James J. Hilferty, 
Miss Alice W. Nagle, 
Mrs. Ralph Case. 

Press. 
C. J. Lynch, 
B. J. Coughlin, 
Frank Lawton, 
Robert Lester, 
Hjalmar Linden. 

Speakers. 
Howard A. Wilson, 
Albert Batley, 
Oswald C. Drechsler, 



Charles H. Persons, 
George H. Creighton. 

Program. 

A. J. Coughlan, 
F. E. Sanderson, 
William Naylor, 

B. J. Coughlin, 

C. J. Lynch. 

Decoration. 
F. S. Binks, 
Thomas F. Parker, 
P. J. Sullivan, 
Edward J. Flaherty, 
Charles Williams, 
John Zaniewski. 

Parade. 
Arthur J. Coughlan, 
James J. Morgan, 
Harold Sheridan, 
AUie Peterson, 
Charles B. Keene, 
John J. Gallagher. 

Reunion. 
Mrs. Frank E. Sanderson, 
Mrs. John Horan, 
Mrs. John Maley, 
Mrs. Irving Howe, 
Mrs. Arthur J. Coughlan, 
Mrs. Brooks Reed, 
Mrs. Albert W. Haynes, 



I02 ] 



Mrs. Howard A. Wilson, 
Miss Alice W. Nagle, 
Miss Laura E. Woodart, 
Mrs. Ralph Case. 

Reception. 
Howard A. Wilson, 
Oswald C. Drechsler, 
Charles H. Persons, 
George H. Creighton, 
Albert Batley, 
P. J. Sullivan 
Alfred E. McCleary, 
Frank S. Binks, 
Edwin Carlton, 
James J. Morgan. 
Charles B. Keene, 
O. S. Fowler, 
W. B. Case. 



Honorary Members of the 

General Comynittee. 
Atiyeh, Elias N., Rev. 
Angell, David M.,Rev. 
Brooks, Mary, Mrs. 
Brown, George F. 
Brown, Georgianna, Mrs. 
Crowley, Edward F., Rev. 
Chase, Harry A. 

Governor Channing H. Cox has accepted our 
invitation; Congressman John Jacob Rogers, 
State Senator John M. Gibbs and Wm. M. Wood 
President of the American Woolen Co. are also 
expected. 

I loj ] 



Cheney, Levi R. 
Cheney, Hannah S., Mrs. 
Callahan, Dennis 
Chlonis, John, Rev. 
Coughlin, Daniel 
Fowler, Herbert 
Haynes, Abel G. 
Holt, Abner D. 
Haynes, Alfred T. 
Haynes, Albert W. 
Hooper, George B. 
Jablonski, Francis, Rev. 
Lawton, Catherine, Mrs. 
Litchfield, William F. 
Maynard, Amory 
May, Julia, Mrs. 
McPhail, Margaret, Miss 
Morse, Eliza, Mrs. 
Naylor, Mary A., Mrs. 
Newton, Lucy A., Mrs. 
Papineau, x^rthur B., Rev. 
Peters, Mary S., Mrs. 
Parmenter, Washington 
Reed, Mary J., Mrs. 
Shea, Hannah Mrs. 
Vaananen, Johannes, Rev. 
Whitney, Eliza, Miss 



We close our tale of the chronicles of Maynard 
with these words of Bacon — "the sweetest canti- 
cle is 'Nunc Dimittis/ when a man hath obtained 
worthy ends and expectations, death hath this 
also that it openeth the gate to good fame and 
extinguisheth envy. 'The same person shall be 
beloved when dead.' " 



[ 104] 



APPENDIX. 



{From The Hudson Pioneer, Sat- 
urday Morning, Apr. 29, 1871.) 

INAUGURAL CEREMONIES 
AT MAYNARD. 

On Thursday of this week 
the new town of Maynard 
held its first town meeting 
in Riverside Hall. At one 
o'clock the meeting was cal- 
led to order by J. W. Reed, 
Esq., who read the warrant, 
and called upon the meeting 
to bring in their ballots for 
Moderator, the choice being 
Asahel Balcom, by a unani- 
mous vote. 

Some appropriate remarks 
were made by Mr. Balcom, 
after which the voters pro- 
ceeded to choose the neces- 
sary town officers. E. R. 
Chase was declared elected 
Town Clerk, receiving 100 
of the 103 votes cast. Mr. 
Chase was immediarely 
sworn and entered upon the 
duties of the office. On 
motion of Mr. Ephraim 
Stone, it was voted to bring 
in names of Selectmen on 



oneballot. Choice was made 
of Asahel Balcom, Henry 
F^owler, Jonathan P. Bent; 
Assessors — Asahel Balcom, 
Benj. Conant, Thos. H. 
Brooks. Treasurer — Lor- 
enzo Maynard. Constables, 
Fred Fletcher, \Vm. Max- 
well, Thomas Farrell, The 
Selectmen will act as Over- 
seers of Poor. Voted that 
the Collector should be 
chosen by nomination. Lor- 
enzo Maynard being the 
choice. At this point, in 
consideration of the lateness 
of the hour, and the public 
demonstration to be made, 
it was voted to adjourn the 
meeting to Saturday, May 
29, at 3 o'clock, P. M. 

Immediately upon the ad- 
journment, the Marshal of 
the day, J. P. Foster, assis- 
ted by aids, W. M. Harding, 
John Hickland, E. R. Chase 
John Little, proceeded to 
form the line of procession 
in the following order: iMrst 



10^ 



division, Escort Henry Wil- 
son, Encampment 86, G. A. 
R., Eagle Cornet Band, lola 
Lodge, I. O. G. T., and mill 
operatives. Second divis- 
ion, Amateur Brass Band, 
St. Bridget Temperance and 
Benevolent Society, Public 
Schools, citizens and visitors 
in carriages bringing up the 
rear. 

The procession presented 
a very fine appearance, and 
numbered over looo. At 
intervals along the line the 
stars and stripes and the 
standard of the St. Bridget 
Society fluttered gayly in 
the breeze, adding greatly 
to the liveliness of the scene. 
After the delay incident to 
such occasions, the signal 
gun was fired and the line 
started off under the in- 
spiring strains of a popular 
national air, down Main St. 
past the Glendale House to 
Nason St. and Main St., 
and passed up to the west 
end of the village. Here, 
after a short halt, it retur- 
ned left in front to Riverside 
Hall, where it was dismissed 

[I 



by the Marshal, with the 
request that as many as 
could would meet at River- 
side Hall in the evening for 
a continuation of the cere- 
monies, consisting of music 
by the bands, singing by the 
Glee Club, and speeches by 
Rev. W. Hazelwood, John 
Hillis, Esq., J. W. Reed, 
Esq., Henry Fowler, and 
other citizens of the town. 
On account of the rain 
which set in at night, the 
proposed display of fire- 
works was postponed. As 
one of the attractions of the 
day, it was proposed to 
raise a flag staff on Pomp- 
siticut hill by Messrs Benj. 
Smith, Chas. Maynard, J. 
K. Harriman and Andrew 
McEachron, and promptly 
carried into effect by these 
gentlemen. At the appoin- 
ted time, at the signal dis- 
charged from an ancient 
piece of artillery, a large flag 
was flung out from the staff 
welcoming all to the gala 
scene over which it floated. 
At six o'clock the bands, and 
the gunners accompanying 



06 



K 






the field-piece, were invited 
to partake of an ample col- 
lation prepared for them at 
the Glendale House, by the 
gentlemanly proprietor, Mr. 
W. F. Wood. 

The cannon procured for 
the occasion from Concord, 
a relic of the Revolutionary 
War, is a six-pounder brass 
piece, which was placed in 
position at the west end of 
the "old north bridge," and 
did its share in repelling the 
regulars on that memorable 
morning in April, 1775. Per- 
haps from its brazen throat 
echoed back a hearty 
"amen" in thunder tones, to 
the sharp ringing crack of 
that musket whose voice 
"was heard round the 
world." Engraved on this 
gun of "the olden time," 
was the following inscrip- 
tion: 

"The Legislature of Massa- 
chusetts consecrate the name of 
Major John Butterick and Capt. 
Isaac Davis, whose valour and 
example excited their fellow 
citizens to a successful resistance 
of a superior number of British 
troops at Concord bridge the 



19th of April, 1775, which was 
the beginning of a contest in 
arms that ended in American 
Independence." 

A very noticeable feature 
of the day was the quiet and 
good order everywhere ob- 
served which was highly 
commendable. The people 
of Assabet were celebrating 
the anniversary of the Con- 
cord fight, and the march of 
the 6th Regiment through 
Baltimore when the news 
was flashed over the tele- 
graph wires that at twenty 
minutes past five of that 
day the charter of their 
town was signed and sealed. 

The fire-works will be 
given this (Saturday) eve- 
ning. 

Assabet has got divorced 
from Stow, and repudiated 
even her maiden name. 
This act is in keeping with 
modern developments of 
womankind, showing as it 
does a natural desire for in- 
dependence coupled still 
with a lurking fondness for 
the masculine gender. The 
new town takes the name 
of Maynard. There is pro- 



107 



bably some pecuniary mo- 
tive to the christening, 
though we only know that 
the outside pubhc is a little 
discommoded by the change. 
Missives still come to our 
postoffice labeled "Felton- 
ville." We don't blame the 
people of Groton Junction 
Village for preferring a brief- 
er appellation. "Ayer" is 
better for tongue and ear, 
and for superscriptive dis- 
posal it is deft enough. But 
the nascent vogue of nam- 
ing towns by monetary im- 
pulse is mischevious by its 
indifference to verbal taste. 
There is always something 
in a name, even though 
carelessly applied. Doubt- 
less Miss Assabet,<^/z<^j- Mrs. 
Stow, has a proper reason 
for her predilection. Mr. 
Maynard is the chief foun- 
der of the community now 
incorporated in his name. 
He is a taking man withal, 
and his personal christen- 
ing of the new town is a 
popular acknowledgment of 
his agency in its birth and 
breeding. 



{April 30, 1902.) 
PATRIOTIC EXERCISES. 

Held at Union Congregational 
Church, Sunday, April 20. 

Patriotic exercises were 
held Sunday evening in the 
Union Congregational 
church in memory of the 
minute men of Maynard, 
once a part of Sudbury and 
Stow, who responded to the 
Lexington alarm April 19, 
1775, and the continental 
soldiers who served in the 
revolution. 

A service of patriotic 
songs appropriate to the 
occasion, including Psalm 
60, Watts select hymns, 
which were sung at the fun- 
•eral of Capt. Isaac Davis, 
Abner Hosmer and James 
Hayward, was rendered by 
the choir. The pastor, 
Rev. Charles H. Washburn, 
read a selection from the old 
bible used by Wm. Reed, 
chairman of the provincial 
committee at a Congress 
held at Watertown, April 
30, 1775; and then with a 
few remarks introduced the 



108 



speakers, chief among whom 
was Reuben L. Reed of 
South Acton, a prominent 
"Son of the American Rev- 
olution," who in his remarks 
brought out many interest- 
ing facts relative to history 
in this locality, many of 
which have never before 
been published. 

Maynard is known before 
the public as a new town, 
but having been set off from 
the historic towns of Sud- 
bury and Stow on April 19, 
1 87 1 has a very interesting 
history and the confines of 
the present town furnished 
the first blood spilt at Con- 
cord, April 19, 1775. 

King Philip's Indian 
tribes occupied the north 
part of Sudbury now May- 
nard and some of the des- 
cendants of the most prom- 
inent minute men of that 
town are now prominent 
business men and citizens of 
Maynard. 

An interesting discovery 
has been recently made of 
some Indian graves on the 
land of Abel G. Haynes, 

[I 



which it is expected will 
throw some light on the 
early history of the town 
and which are now being 
carefully investigated. Sud- 
bury had the largest num- 
ber of men in proportion to 
its inhabitants in force on 
April 19, 1775, and it is 
claimed that it lost the old- 
est man killed on that mem- 
orable day. Some tried to 
reason with him (Josiah 
Haynes) but he said that 
he would go if the highway 
was filled with the king's 
soldiers. He was killed in 
the road, and x^sahel Beed 
was taken prisoner and bru- 
tally murdered. At the 
battle of Bunker Hill, Sud- 
bury took a prominent part. 
Mr. Reed declares it to be a 
tradition of his grandmother 
that so few men were left in 
Sudbury that the old men 
took the women and child- 
ren to the garrisons for fear 
of the Indians. 

From the Stow side of 
Maynard it is recorded that 
Daniel Conant, an honor- 
able and respected farmer, 



09 



went forth to battle on that 
memorable morning. He was 
the grandfather of Hon. 
Wm. Wilde of Acton, who is 
worthy of remembrance for 
his noble and charitable 
deeds and his presentation 
of a memorial library to his 
native town, the greatest 
gift Acton has ever received. 
Daniel Conant was among 
the minute men at Concord 
and Lexington, and said to 
have been at the North 
Bridge, as there were a num- 
ber to whom just credit has 
never been given. Tradi- 
tion says that the minute 
men from Sudbury and 
Stow entered Concord over 
the South Bridge. He was 
wounded on that day but 
recovered and afterwards 
rendered valuable service 
to his country. His most 
meritorious deed was when 
he and his neighbors march- 
ed to Bennington,Vt., under 
command of Capt. Silas 
Taylor of Stow, arriving 
there just in time to be 
ordered to the front and 
participate in the surrender 



of Gen. Burgoyne. His re- 
ception on his return home 
to Stow, with a detachment 
of English soldiers as prison- 
ers of war is recorded in the 
town annals as one of its 
most important incidents 

He was sergeant in Silas 
Taylor's regiment. A com- 
pany of men was also made 
up from Sudbury, Stow and 
Winchendon, who were at 
the battle of Bunker Hill in 
Col. Prescott's regiment 
under command of Capt. 
Samuel Patch, and cannon 
balls used at that battle are 
still preserved at Stow. 
When the Sons of the Am- 
erican Revolution detailed 
Reuben L. Reed of Acton 
(originator of the plan) to 
mark the graves of revolu- 
tionary soldiers, the work 
was first begun in Acton and 
Stow. 

Rev. J. B. Moulton of 
Stow, grandson of General 
Moulton of New Hamp- 
shire, famous in the Ameri- 
can Revolution, made the 
prayer at the grave of Dan- 
iel Conant. Mr. Reed said 



IIO J 



that the words were the 
same used by Rev. James 
Fletcher at Acton, "God 
watched over our ancestors, 
supported them through 
their struggle for liberty and 
blessed their deeds by estab- 
lishing a free government, 
so he prayed that God 
would watch over and sup- 
port the descendants of 
those men who are striving to 
keep alive the memory of 
the patriotic deeds of those 
heroes." His prayer has 
been answered and thous- 
ands of graves have been 
honored by flag holders and 
today Old Glory floats 
over their graves through- 
out the United States and 
Paris, France. 



(1901) 
First Trolley Car in the Busi- 
ness Section of the Town. 

Maynard, Aug. 19. About 
noon today the residents of 
this town were treated to a 
sight most pleasing, and one 
for which they have impa- 
tiently awaited-the appear- 



ance of an electric car in the 
business section. 

A car decorated with flags 
in honor of the great event 
was sent to Concord with 
the following invited guests: 
Selectman and Mrs. Abel G. 
Haynes, Selectman and 
Mrs. P. J. Sullivan, Select- 
man Roland P. Harriman 
of Stow, Amory Maynard, 
E. B. Hooper, Selectman 
John H. Studley of Concord, 
directors Charles W. Ship- 
pee, Charles H. Persons, 
Julius Loewe and Frank P. 
Bond. Dr. and Mrs. F. U. 
Rich, Dr. Daniel Goodenow, 
Rev. J. A. Crowley, Mr. and 
Mrs. O. S. Fowler, Mr. and 
Mrs.W. F. Litchfield,Treas. 
George H. Gutteridge, Er- 
nest Johnson, B. J. Cough- 
lin, A. E. Newton, VV. W. 
Oliver, David Henderson, 
Samuel G. King, T. F. Par- 
ker, Frank R. Conner, Mrs. 
George Flood, Mrs. J. W. 
Ogden, Mrs. W. F. Ham- 
mond, H. L. Carter, James 
Carney, A. H. Haynes, Mrs. 
Luke S. Brooks, Miss Mary 
E. Shea, Mrs. Emory Wal- 



[III] 



ker, Mrs. Arthur E. Walker, 
Mrs. Alonzo Warren, Chas. 
Warren, George H. Creigh- 
ton, Dr. B. D. Blanchard. 
The enthusiastic passen- 
gers were greeted with 
cheers throughout the en- 
tire route. 



AMORY MAYNARD DEAD. 

Sketch of the Life of a Promi- 
nent Manufacturer. 

(Special Dispatch to the Boston Herald) 

Marlboro, March 5, 1890. 
Amory Maynard died at his 
home in Maynard at 7:10 
o'clock this morning, pas- 
sing away very quietly. He 
had been incapacitated for 
any business for about seven 
years, and most of the time 
was confined to his home in 
charge of a male attendant. 
Monday forenoon, while 
attempting to ascend a 
flight of stairs in his resi- 
dence, he lost his footing 
and fell backward, striking 
on the side of his head. He 
was taken up unconscious. 
Medical aid was summoned 
and all efforts were made to 
restore consciousness, but 



he never spoke afterward; 
his life gradually ebbed 
away. It is thought his 
funeral will be held Sat- 
urday, and that the mills, 
as well as all places of busi- 
ness in town, will be closeei. 
The interment will occur in 
Glenwood cemetery, and 
the body is to be laid in the 
handsome tomb which he 
had constructed some time 
ago. He had accumulated 
a large property, estimateel 
at a million dollars, through 
his own exertions, coupled 
with the efforts of his two 
sons, Lorenzo and William, 
to whom, it is said, the 
estate is bequeathed. 



WERE EARLY SETTLERS. 

Mary Gibson was Mother of 

First Man to Fall in Battle 

at Concord. 

The history of Middlesex 
county records shows that 
the members of the Gibson 
family were among the early 
settlers in that part of May- 
narci which was formerly a 
part of the town of Stow. 
The family homestead was 



[112J 



known as the Summer hill 
farm on the south side of 
Pomposetticutt hill, now 
owned by Lucius Maynard. 
According to very good 
authority, Mary Gibson, a 
daughter of the family, was 
the mother of Captain Isaac 
Davis, who was the first to 
fall at the old North bridge, 
in the battle of Concord, in 

1775- 

Tradition says that near 
the spot where the remains 
of the foundation are, on 
Pomposetticutt hill, the 
Indians held a consultation 
during King Philip's war, 
as to which town they would 
destroy, Concord or Sud- 
bury. One of the chiefs 
said: "We no prosper if we 
go to Concord. The Great 
Spirit love that people. He 
tell us not to go. They 
have a great man there. He 



great pray." This was an 
allusion to Rev. Mr. Bulk- 
ley, the minister of Con- 
cord, who seems to have 
been known to the Indians 
as a distinguished man, and 
they feared his influence 
with the "Great Spirit." 
Hence Concord was 
spared and Sudbury 
sufi^ered. Nearly 40 men 
from Stow took part in the 
battle of Bunker Hill. 

While Maynard is ever 
modest in thrusting herself 
into the pages of history, 
still there is abundant evi- 
dence that her soil was as 
productive of patriots, and 
herpastis closely linked with 
the great events of history, 
though at that time her land 
was a part of other towns, 
and did not bear the name of 
Maynard. 



113] 



INDEX. 



American Legion 


62-80 


Free Delivery 


72 


American Woolen Co. 


34-76 


Genealogy 


88 


Anniversary 


lOI 


Great Road 


22 


Appendix 


105 


Halls 


64 


Assabet Mfg. Co. 


32 


Highways 


77 


Assabet, How spelled 


16 


Honey Pot Brook 


26 


Assabet Village 


7 


Hotels 


64 


Balcom Place 


18 


Ice House 


37 


Bands 


71 


Incorporation 


7 


Banks 


66 


Indian Purchase 


12 


Bent Farm 


92 


Indian Relics 


16 


Boone, Mathew 


15 


Iron Works 


73 


Boone's Pond 


32 


Jewell's Mill 


24 


Brigham Place 


18 


Jethro, Peter 


13 


Brooks Place 


22 


King, Philip 


14 


Brown, George F., 




Knight, William H. 


26 


house 


17 


Land Purchases 


28 


Brown, William and 




Library 


64 


others 


16 


Mahoney and Brown 




Carpet Manufacture 


30 


Farms 


41 


Cemeteries 


46 


Main Street 


38 


Churches 


54 


Maynards, The 


36 


Civil War 


78 


Maynard, L. H. 


22 


Concord Street 


25 


Mill, Buildings 


34 


Fires 


75 


Mill, Insurance, etc. 


76 


Fire Department 


44 


Mill, Pond and Dam 


30 


First Town Meeting 


10 


Mill, The Failure 


34 


Fort Meadow 


32 


Nason and other streets 


39 


Fowler Farm 


16 


Newspapers 


71 



114 



Paper Mill 


24 


Stores and Business 


66 


Park, Public 


46 


Stow, Town of 


14 


Parmenter Place 


17 


Streets 


77 


Pompasitticutt Hills 


14 


Sudbury, Town of 


12 


Population 


77 


Sudbury Street 


38 


Powder Mills 


71 


Thanksgiving Pond 


26 


Puffer Place 


18 


Town Boundary 


73 


Railroad 


36 


Town Clock 


72 


Reardon Farm 


41 


Town Colors 


72 


Revolutionary War 


26 


Town Farm 


46 


Russell Bridge 


00 


Town Officers 


87 


Schools 


48 


Vose Place 


19 


Sewage 


45 


Walnut Street 


38 


Smith Family 


■20 


Water System 


43 


Smith Bridge 


22 


Watering Troughs 


77 


Societies 


60 


World War 


79 


Stage Lines 


22-36 







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